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.


Monkey Bar Brings Back Childhood Memories with Limited Edition Back to School Menu

Monkey Bar Brings Back Childhood Memories with Limited Edition Back to School Menu

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 20, 2026

Monkey Bar is inviting guests to take a trip down memory lane with the launch of its limited-edition Back to School menu in Bengaluru. Available until 30th June, the special offering brings together nostalgic street-side snacks and classic cocktails, celebrating the flavours and memories that many grew up with.

Created around the idea of revisiting simpler times, the menu has been curated by Monkey Bar founders Nikhil and Tushar along with Chef Clyde. Inspired by school-day memories, neighbourhood hangouts, and after-school treats, the experience is designed to recreate the comfort and joy of familiar favourites.

The food menu highlights some of India's most loved street-side snacks. Guests can enjoy cucumber slices topped with chaat masala and lime, raw mango seasoned with chilli and black salt, whole guava prepared with traditional street-style spices, and Kolkata's famous Jhalmuri mixed with vegetables, peanuts, mustard oil, and bold local flavours. These simple yet flavourful snacks bring back memories of carefree afternoons and conversations with friends.

Complementing the food selection is a cocktail menu dedicated to timeless classics that have remained popular across generations. The line-up includes favourites such as the Manhattan, Mojito, Gimlet, Clover Club, Piña Colada, Caipiroska, Tequila Sunrise, Blue Lagoon, and several other well-loved cocktails. Served in their classic form, the drinks celebrate the enduring appeal of traditional cocktail culture.

With its signature laid-back atmosphere, Monkey Bar combines nostalgic flavours and iconic drinks to create an experience centred around memories, friendships, and shared moments. Whether it's reconnecting with old friends or revisiting favourite rituals, the Back to School menu offers guests a chance to relive the spirit of the good old days.

  • Venue: Monkey Bar, Museum Road, Bengaluru
  • Date: 30th June
  • Timings: 12 PM to 1 AM


Chinese Wok Enters 50th City with Belagavi Launch, Strengthens South India Presence

Chinese Wok Enters 50th City with Belagavi Launch, Strengthens South India Presence

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 20, 2026

Chinese Wok, the popular Desi Chinese QSR brand from Lenexis Foodworks, has achieved a major milestone in its growth journey with its entry into the 50th city across India. The brand has marked the occasion with the launch of its first outlet in Belagavi (Belgaum), further expanding its footprint in South India to 89 stores.

With this addition, Chinese Wok has strengthened its presence in Karnataka, where it now operates 38 outlets. The expansion highlights the state's importance in the company's cluster-led growth strategy and reflects its continued focus on building a strong presence across key regional markets.

Over the years, Chinese Wok has evolved from operating in a single city to becoming a national QSR brand with a presence across 50 cities. The company has played an important role in shaping and organising India's growing Desi Chinese dining segment. Belagavi, one of North Karnataka's rapidly developing Tier-II cities, presents a promising opportunity due to its expanding young population, rising demand for organised dining options and growing preference for affordable and flavourful food experiences.

Commenting on the milestone, Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks, said, "Our entry into the 50th city is an important milestone in Chinese Wok's growth journey and reflects the increasing consumer acceptance of the Desi Chinese category across India. Over the years, we have focused on building a scalable and disciplined expansion model that combines strong unit economics with a consistent consumer experience. Belagavi is a natural addition to our network as we continue strengthening our presence across Karnataka and South India. Looking ahead, our focus remains on accelerating growth across emerging markets while building deeper category leadership through accessibility, affordability and innovation."

South India remains one of the brand's key growth regions, supported by a strong urban customer base, an active dining-out culture and increasing demand for organised QSR experiences. With 89 outlets across the region, Chinese Wok continues to focus on sustainable expansion through its cluster-led strategy.

The new Belagavi outlet has been developed in a high-street format, catering to both dine-in and takeaway customers. Guests can enjoy the brand's signature Desi Chinese menu, including Value Woks, Hakka Noodles, Kurkure Momos, Cheese and Schezwan Fries, along with a range of meal combos designed for families and groups.

As the brand continues its expansion across the country, the launch in Belagavi and its entry into the 50th city mark another important step in Chinese Wok's vision of creating one of India's most accessible and culturally relevant Desi Chinese QSR platforms.


Father’s Day 2026: Serious Slice Declares “The First Slice is His”

Father’s Day 2026: Serious Slice Declares “The First Slice is His”

By Author

Published on June 19, 2026

This Father’s Day, Serious Slice is rewriting the rules of the family table with a simple idea “The First Slice is His.” The Bengaluru-based pizza destination is turning Father’s Day 2026 into a warm, relaxed, and slightly playful celebration that places dads right at the centre of the dining experience.

Across its Cunningham Road and RR Nagar outlets, the restaurant is moving away from formal set menus and instead focusing on comfort, familiarity, and a sense of easy celebration. The idea is straightforward: give fathers a day where they are not just present at the table, but properly celebrated.

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From the moment guests arrive, the experience is designed to feel personal. Tables will feature “Reserved for Dad” placards, along with handwritten-style notes that add a simple, human touch to the celebration. Live acoustic music from local artists sets a relaxed mood, making the space feel more like a neighbourhood gathering than a curated event.

The highlight of the celebration is the “First Slice” House Rule. As part of this playful initiative, the first pizza slice loaded generously with toppings is served directly to the father at the table before anyone else. It’s a small but symbolic gesture that flips the usual dining hierarchy and ensures dads get the first bite of the meal they usually help organise.

The menu itself stays true to Serious Slice’s signature approach, fresh, indulgent, and unpretentious. Guests can expect a casual dining experience built around sharing, laughter, and comfort food that brings families together without overcomplication.

With its mix of humour, warmth, and thoughtful detail, Serious Slice’s Father’s Day celebration focuses less on extravagance and more on appreciation. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest gestures, a slice served first, a note of thanks, or a shared laugh can make the biggest impact.

For reservations, guests can contact +91 99009 41336.

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