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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 Hariharan U
Published on July 2, 2026
FOO has strengthened its presence in Bengaluru with the launch of its newest restaurant in Indiranagar, marking the brand's third outlet in the city and its largest Bengaluru opening to date.
Located in one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant dining and nightlife destinations, the new restaurant has been designed as a social dining space that combines contemporary Asian cuisine, signature beverages, and immersive interiors.
Spanning 2,660 sq. ft., FOO Indiranagar features a bold design palette with deep red tiles, a cobalt-blue entrance, warm timber finishes, natural stone, metallic accents, and curated artwork. At the heart of the restaurant is a fluted stone bar designed to encourage relaxed lunches, evening gatherings, and celebratory dining experiences.
The menu showcases FOO’s signature Pan-Asian offerings, featuring more than 100 varieties of Asian tapas inspired by culinary traditions from across the continent. Guests can enjoy handcrafted sushi, dim sum, Nikkei-inspired dishes, and a selection of small plates designed for sharing.
The beverage programme complements the menu with cocktails crafted using Asian ingredients such as yuzu, miso, sake, and house-infused spirits. Signature creations include the Foo King, Pickled Picante, and the popular Foo Queen, alongside a curated sake selection and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Indiranagar outlet also introduces Foo Brew to Bengaluru for the first time. The brand’s signature Japanese rice beer has been developed to pair with Asian flavours, offering guests a crisp and refreshing accompaniment to dishes ranging from sushi and dim sum to the restaurant’s signature tapas.
Speaking on the launch, Ryan Tham and Keenan Tham, Founders of Pebble Street Hospitality, said Indiranagar’s evolving food culture made it a natural choice for the brand’s next destination. They added that the restaurant has been designed as a neighbourhood space where guests can enjoy everything from quick meals to extended evenings with friends and family.
The new opening reflects FOO’s continued expansion in Bengaluru, reinforcing its focus on bringing together bold Asian flavours, design-led spaces, and hospitality experiences centred around community and shared dining.
Kinya Coffee has introduced a new weekend dining concept called “The Weekend Breakfast,” designed to celebrate a slower and more mindful morning culture in Bengaluru.
Held every Saturday and Sunday, the experience invites guests to pause their routine and enjoy a thoughtfully curated breakfast menu paired with specialty coffee and matcha offerings in a relaxed café setting.
The menu brings together globally inspired breakfast dishes including Eggs Benedict, Turkish Çılbır, Shakshuka, Japanese Tamago Sandwiches, pancakes, French toast, and breakfast boards. Each dish is crafted with a focus on familiar comfort and precise execution, served in a setting that encourages guests to take their time.
Alongside the food, Kinya Coffee’s beverage program plays a central role in the experience. The café offers a range of coffee and matcha preparations, including espresso, pour-over coffee, cold brew, and ceremonial-style matcha. The emphasis remains on craftsmanship and creating moments that encourage guests to linger longer.
The concept goes beyond dining, positioning itself as a weekend destination for Bengaluru’s evolving morning culture. It aims to bring together entrepreneurs, families, friends, and travellers who are looking for a slower start to the day and a shared space for conversation and connection.
Speaking through the concept positioning, Kinya Coffee highlights the idea that in a fast-paced world, mornings can become a luxury when slowed down and appreciated fully.
The Weekend Breakfast is available every Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM at Kinya Coffee, located on 12th Main Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Hyatt Centric Janakpuri has launched 'Summer at Centric', a seasonal culinary showcase that celebrates the fresh flavours of summer through a specially curated menu at Kitchen District, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant.
Inspired by some of the season's most-loved ingredients, including mango, jamun, lychee, kakdi, and phalsa, the menu presents a collection of dishes that combine vibrant flavours with contemporary cooking techniques.
Among the highlights is the Quinoa & Lychee Salad, featuring avocado, cucumber, feta cheese, and lychee, finished with a honey-orange dressing. Guests can also enjoy the Black Pepper Chicken Tikka with Jamun and Phalsa Compote, where the bold flavours of the chicken are balanced with the subtle tartness of seasonal fruits.
The seasonal menu also includes dishes such as Chicken Shawarma and Mango Thai Green Curry, each offering a fresh take on summer-inspired dining while showcasing the versatility of seasonal produce.
For dessert, the spotlight is on the Mango Tres Leches, a tribute to the king of fruits and one of the signature creations from the summer collection.
With 'Summer at Centric', Hyatt Centric Janakpuri invites guests to enjoy a seasonal dining experience that brings together fresh ingredients, colourful flavours, and thoughtfully crafted dishes, making the most of summer's finest produce at Kitchen District.
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