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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.
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."
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.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 5, 2026
Burma Burma is bringing the vibrant spirit of Thingyan, the Burmese New Year, to diners across India with a special festive menu available from May 1 to 31, 2026. Known for its authentic Burmese flavours, the restaurant invites guests to celebrate the season of togetherness with a menu inspired by traditional Burmese Lunch Houses.
Thingyan, often called the ‘Water Festival’, is a time when families, friends and neighbours come together to share meals and welcome new beginnings. Keeping this essence alive, Burma Burma has curated a limited-edition menu that reflects the joy of gathering over food, with dishes designed to be shared and enjoyed.
At the centre of the menu are the Thingyan Rice Bowls, thoughtfully created for two. These bowls bring together fragrant rice, flavourful curries, stir-fries and crunchy sides, offering a complete meal experience. Guests can choose from options like the Mohinga Rice Bowl with lemongrass, ginger and shallots, the Hawker’s Rice Bowl with chilli oil and tamarind, the smoky Rustic Rice Bowl inspired by village-style cooking, and the tangy Pickled Roselle Bowl.
Adding to the experience are a range of street-style small plates that capture the energy of Burmese markets. Dishes such as New Year Parcels, Street-style Rice Crêpes, Palata Sando, Crunchy Shiitake & Radish Salad, Summer Salad and a Fritter Platter bring a mix of textures and flavours to the table, making it perfect for sharing.
The festive spread also includes a refreshing selection of beverages like Pandan Tamarind Fizz, Hibiscus Lemonade, Mango Picante and Ice Plum Soda, each crafted to suit the summer season. For dessert, guests can indulge in Banana Bliss and Mango Bein Mont, both inspired by traditional Burmese sweets. Every table is also served a playful Paan Jelly to complete the meal.
Beyond the food, Burma Burma has added interactive elements to enhance the festive mood. Guests can enjoy offerings like handcrafted fruit leathers in flavours such as pineapple & coconut, tamarind with chilli salt and raw mango & kokum. An in-house popsicle station with a spin wheel adds a fun twist, with flavours inspired by Burmese ingredients and summer favourites.
The celebration extends across Burma Burma outlets in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai. For those who prefer to celebrate at home, the festive menu is also available for delivery via Swiggy and Zomato, making it easy to enjoy a Thingyan feast with loved ones.
With festive décor, unique Burmese touches like the hand wash experience and Thanaka application, Burma Burma creates an immersive setting that reflects the lively charm of Burmese celebrations. The limited-edition menu offers a perfect way to welcome the New Year with flavour, warmth and togetherness.
By Hariharan U
Nandan Coffee has opened its first flagship café in Bengaluru, marking a significant step in its journey from estate-grown coffee to immersive café experiences. Located at Embassy One on Bellary Road, the new space brings the essence of its Kodaikanal origins into the heart of a city known for its deep-rooted coffee culture.
At the centre of the brand’s philosophy is the Nandanvan Estate, where its certified organic coffee is cultivated within a biodiverse, unfenced ecosystem. With a three-generation legacy, Nandan Coffee maintains complete involvement across cultivation, processing, roasting, and brewing, creating a direct and traceable journey from farm to cup.
The Bengaluru flagship reflects this philosophy through a coffee-first experience designed across multiple formats. Guests can explore an espresso bar featuring four distinct roast profiles, manual brewing methods like pour-over and French press, cold coffees on tap, and a dedicated Filter Kaapi Bar that reinterprets the classic South Indian brew with contemporary flavour profiles. The offering ranges from familiar favourites to experimental blends, appealing to both everyday coffee drinkers and enthusiasts.
Extending beyond coffee, the space also functions as an all-day café, with a menu inspired by Kodaikanal and Mumbai influences. Dishes such as Mari-wala Scramble, Bombay-style bagels, and Nandan Tiramisu French Toast reflect a blend of comfort and creativity. A curated retail section allows guests to explore and purchase coffee blends, brewing equipment, chocolates paired to specific roasts, and handcrafted ceramic merchandise.
Adding a distinctive touch, the café is designed as a pet-friendly space with a dedicated pet menu. Offerings like the signature ‘Pup Cup’ and other pet-safe treats ensure that guests can enjoy the experience alongside their pets.
The beverage programme is extensive, featuring signature drinks such as Spiced Orange Vanilla Filter Kaapi, Honey Cardamom Filter Kaapi, Cold Kaapi on Tap, Raspberry Lattés, and seasonal cold brews. Wellness beverages, matcha selections, smoothies, and teas further broaden the experience, making it suitable for varied preferences.
The space itself reflects the brand’s origin story. Designed by Farida Mariwala Interiors in collaboration with Faizan Khatri, the café incorporates natural light, estate-inspired materials, and a sculptural central coffee bar crafted from Baroda Green marble. With high ceilings and expansive windows, the design brings elements of Kodaikanal’s landscape into an urban setting, creating an environment that feels both immersive and contemporary.
Speaking about the launch, Co-founder Yahvi Mariwala said, "Everything at Nandan Coffee begins at the estate. We grow, process, and roast our coffee ourselves at our estate, and then bring it directly into our spaces. That closeness to origin allows us to preserve quality, remain consistent and create a coffee experience that is deeply personal and rooted in provenance."
She added, "There are a few cities that welcome a new coffee address quite like Bengaluru. With our first flagship, Nandan Coffee aims to bring a little of Kodaikanal’s wild canopy, organic abundance, and unhurried spirit into the heart of Bengaluru’s urban life."
Founded on a legacy that began over three decades ago, Nandan Coffee traces its roots to a family-led transformation of land into a thriving organic estate. Today, under Yahvi Mariwala’s leadership, the brand continues to evolve—bridging tradition and innovation while bringing consumers closer to the journey of coffee.
With its Bengaluru flagship, Nandan Coffee enters a new chapter, one that connects origin, craft, and community, offering a space where coffee is not just served, but experienced in its fullest form.
Wendy's India, in partnership with Rebel Foods, has introduced its latest flavour innovation with the launch of the Teriyaki Burger range, bringing the bold, sweet-savoury taste of Japan to Indian consumers.
The new range features both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, including the Teriyaki Fried Chicken Burger and the Teriyaki Spicy Paneer Burger. Each burger is coated in a rich teriyaki glaze, offering a blend of sweetness, umami, and a hint of smokiness, adapted to suit Indian taste preferences. The range is now available across all Wendy’s India outlets and on leading delivery platforms, including EatSure.
Speaking about the launch, Mohit Mahajan, AVP Marketing at Rebel Foods, said, "With Teriyaki, we wanted to go beyond just introducing a new flavour and instead create a larger cultural moment for our consumers. Japanese flavours have a distinct identity, and with the growing popularity of anime in India, this was the perfect opportunity to bring the two together. At Wendy's India, we are focused on making global taste experiences more accessible, while ensuring they are relevant, engaging, and exciting for today's consumers."
Over the years, Wendy’s India has built a strong portfolio of globally inspired flavours tailored for the Indian market. From Chimichurri and Cajun to Buldak, Nachoburg, BBQ, and Tandoori, the brand continues to expand its international flavour playbook. With the addition of Teriyaki, it further strengthens its focus on bringing diverse taste experiences to its audience.
Marking a shift from traditional product launches, the brand has introduced an anime-inspired campaign to support the new range. Wendy’s iconic mascot has been reimagined in an anime universe, tapping into the growing popularity of Japanese pop culture among Gen Z consumers in India.
As part of the campaign, Wendy’s India will host an Anime Fans Meetup on 9th May at its flagship outlet in BTM Layout. The outlet will transform into a Japan-themed space with interactive experiences, including a cosplay contest where participants can dress as their favourite anime characters. The event will also feature exclusive merchandise such as themed t-shirts and bucket hats, along with complimentary Teriyaki meals for attendees.
With this launch, Wendy’s India continues to blend global flavours with culturally relevant experiences, bringing together food and fandom in a way that resonates with today’s consumers.
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