Chef Vedangi Gawde Triumphs as India's Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024

Chef Vedangi Gawde Triumphs as India's Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 30, 2024

The prestigious Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024 competition, showcasing India’s finest pastry talent, recently concluded in Mumbai. This year, Chef Vedangi Gawde was crowned the winner, with Chef Yash Chhabria as the first runner-up and Chef Sandeep Sharma and Chef Nilesh Dewulkar sharing the second runner-up spot.

Callebaut, famed for its high-quality Belgian chocolate, organized the event in collaboration with Taj Lands End as the Hospitality Partner. Now in its third edition, the competition aims to provide a platform for India’s top pastry chefs to showcase their innovative use of chocolate in bakery, pastry, and confectionery creations.

The journey to the finale was marked by remarkable talent and creativity. Pastry chefs from across India participated in regional qualifiers held in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The eight finalists—Chef Krishanu Dey, Chef Milan Shoran, Chef Sandeep Sharma, Chef Vedangi Gawde, Chef Anshul Grover, Chef Nilesh Dewulkar, Chef Shashi Kiran, and Chef Yash Chhabria—competed fiercely for the top honors.

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Chef Vedangi Gawde, Chef de Partie at Sivako, emerged victorious. Chef Yash Chhabria, Pastry Cook and Co-Founder of Cacaobleu, was the first runner-up. Chef Sandeep Sharma, Demi Chef de Partie at JW Marriott Kolkata, and Chef Nilesh Dewulkar, Pastry Chef at Sofitel BKC, tied for the second runner-up position.

Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Cocoa & Chocolate Ingredients India, expressed pride in the event's success. He highlighted the competition’s theme, "Craft Your Signature," which encouraged chefs to express their authentic selves through their creations. He praised the participants for their exceptional skill, talent, and passion displayed throughout the competition.

Chef Pratik Deshmukh, Head of Chocolate Academy Mumbai, was thrilled with the level of talent showcased. "Overall, we had a great turnout for the competition. We had the opportunity to taste some really unique flavor combinations as well. The Chefs truly pushed their boundaries through the competition and proudly crafted their signatures. The level of pastry skill has indeed evolved, which was displayed throughout the competition, be it with newer, more efficient methods of working or flavor pairings and techniques used to craft bonbons, entremets, and other creations."

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Global Callebaut Creative Lead Chef Minette Smith, who judged the event for the second time, echoed these sentiments. She appreciated the contestants' creativity and their use of local ingredients. She remarked on the difficulty of selecting a winner due to the high level of competition and wished all participants success in their future endeavors.

Chef Vedangi Gawde said, “I am very happy to win the title of the Callebaut Patisserie for the year. This is a very special title for me, and this win means a lot to me.”

The grand finale featured contestants creating exquisite signature dishes across various categories, judged by culinary experts including Chef Minette Smith, Chef Romain Renard, Head of MENA Chocolate Academies, and Chef Arvind Prasad, Ambassador for Callebaut Chocolates in India.

The event was supported by several partners: Taj Lands End as the Hospitality Partner, The Chocolate Academy Mumbai as the Knowledge Partner, KitchenAid as the Appliance Partner, Unox as the Equipment Partner, Elle & Vire Professional and Delta Nutritives as the Ingredient Partners, BW Hotelier as the Media Partner, Zee Zest as the Lifestyle Partner, and VBev as the Celebration Partner.


DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse Launches ‘Summer Fields’ Seasonal Menu in Chennai

DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse Launches ‘Summer Fields’ Seasonal Menu in Chennai

By Hariharan U

Published on May 18, 2026

DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse has introduced Summer Fields, a specially curated seasonal menu celebrating fresh summer ingredients, lighter textures, and vibrant flavours. The limited-period menu will be available from May 15 to May 31, 2026, across the brand’s outlets in Chennai at DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse and DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse.

Designed as a seasonal culinary showcase, Summer Fields reflects the kitchen’s focus on highlighting summer produce through modern European techniques and thoughtfully layered flavours. The menu brings together ingredients such as watermelon, figs, bay prawns, asparagus, and wild mushrooms, transformed into dishes that are both refreshing and indulgent.

Built around the concept of shared dining, the experience encourages guests to explore multiple plates together, moving seamlessly between salads, soups, pizzas, pasta, and signature mains while discovering contrasting textures and seasonal combinations.

The menu opens with Cool Greens, a selection of salads and chilled soups inspired by the lighter side of summer dining. Highlights include the Bay Prawn and Arugula Salad with mango carpaccio and caramelised walnuts, the Smoked Chicken and Wild Mushroom Salad, and a chilled Cucumber and Celery Soup finished with strawberry gel and yoghurt foam.

The experience then transitions into Entre, a collection of hearty sharing plates crafted for leisurely summer meals. Signature dishes include the Pizza Prosciutto and Grilled Figs with goat cheese and balsamic honey, the Spiced Beer Braised Tiger Prawn served with organic red rice, and Confit Chicken Legs paired with couscous risotto.

Guests can also enjoy comforting handmade pasta preparations such as the Linguine Aglio e Olio featuring homemade pasta, asparagus, and sundried tomato.

With Summer Fields, DOU Brew Room & Bakehouse continues to focus on ingredient-led dining experiences that combine creativity, seasonality, and convivial dining in a relaxed café setting.


Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Brings Authentic Madurai Flavours to the City with Special Food Pop-Up

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Brings Authentic Madurai Flavours to the City with Special Food Pop-Up

By Hariharan U

Published on May 17, 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad is offering guests a taste of Tamil Nadu’s rich culinary heritage with a specially curated Madurai Food Pop-Up at its signature dining venue, Mazzo Rooftop Restaurant.

The limited-period culinary showcase celebrates the vibrant flavours, traditional recipes, and street food culture of Madurai, often regarded as one of South India’s most iconic food destinations. Hosted in a serene rooftop setting, the experience blends regional authenticity with contemporary hospitality.

The specially curated menu features a range of signature dishes inspired by traditional Madurai kitchens and local favourites. Guests can savour preparations such as Kola Urundai, Kozhi Kulambu, Vendakkai Mandi, and Kovil Puliyodharai, each reflecting the rustic flavours and bold spice profiles associated with Tamil Nadu cuisine.

The festival also includes dishes like Mor Kulambu, Kozhi Varuval, Kudal Kulambu, Eeral Piratal, and Aattu Kari Kulambu, showcasing the depth and diversity of Madurai’s culinary traditions. One of the highlights of the menu is the much-loved Vandiyur Chicken Biryani, paired with the iconic chilled dessert beverage Jigarthanda.

Set against the elegant poolside ambience of Mazzo Rooftop Restaurant, the food pop-up aims to offer more than just a dining experience by bringing together flavour, nostalgia, and cultural storytelling through food.

The showcase is open until 16th May 2026, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, inviting food lovers and regional cuisine enthusiasts to experience the essence of Madurai in Hyderabad.

Event Details

  • Venue: Mazzo Rooftop Restaurant, Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad
  • Date: Until 16th May 2026
  • Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Reservations: +91 9100080131 / +91 9100080130

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Launches ‘101 Days of Summer’ Experience

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Launches ‘101 Days of Summer’ Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on May 17, 2026

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru has unveiled its “101 Days of Summer” campaign, a property-wide seasonal residency running from May 1 to August 31, 2026, celebrating Bengaluru’s summer culture through immersive culinary, beverage, and stay experiences.

Part of the global Four Seasons seasonal activation, the Bengaluru edition has been thoughtfully adapted to reflect the city’s Garden City identity, combining nostalgic summer traditions with luxury hospitality experiences curated specifically for the local landscape and climate.

The campaign transforms the hotel into a summer sanctuary, offering guests a slower and more experiential approach to the season through artisanal food, botanical beverages, alfresco moments, and curated staycations.

At the centre of the experience is an artisanal gelateria concept featuring a vintage-inspired summer cart that recreates nostalgic frozen treats with a luxury twist. Signature offerings include the Java Plum in the Promenade Sorbet and the Coastal Cream Magnum Bar, both inspired by familiar regional summer flavours. The hotel’s Sunday brunches at CUR8 will also feature rotating artisanal gelatos and elaborate summer sundaes designed around seasonal indulgence.

The beverage programme introduces a specially curated “Garden City Collection” featuring cocktails and mocktails inspired by Bengaluru’s botanical heritage. Drinks such as the Nandi Hills Spritz and Silk Route Summer Float incorporate local ingredients and handcrafted elements, while the “Temperance Trail” mocktail collection offers non-alcoholic interpretations rooted in regional flavours.

Complementing the beverage programme is a dedicated Mango Residency at the Lobby Lounge celebrating India’s most iconic summer fruit. Guests can experience a mango-themed afternoon tea, Alphonso Mango Kulfi, and a range of seasonal desserts and beverages inspired by regional orchards and summer traditions.

Beyond dining, the campaign also positions Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru as a luxury urban retreat through curated summer staycations. Garden suites, poolside experiences, wellness offerings, and leisurely dining moments have been designed to encourage guests to embrace a relaxed and immersive summer lifestyle within the city.

Signature touches such as floral-inspired beverages, alfresco lounging, and poolside culinary experiences further reinforce the property’s vision of blending Bengaluru’s local identity with the global luxury ethos of the Four Seasons brand.

Through “101 Days of Summer,” the hotel aims to transform the season into a thoughtfully crafted celebration of flavour, nostalgia, design, and experiential luxury, offering guests an elevated interpretation of a Bengaluru summer.

For more information, visit Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru

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