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.


Bambu Bali Chicken: A Balinese Delight by Chef Ankur Sharma at The LaLiT Chandigarh

Bambu Bali Chicken: A Balinese Delight by Chef Ankur Sharma at The LaLiT Chandigarh

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 27, 2025

Step into the culinary world of Chef Ankur Sharma, Executive Chef at The LaLiT Chandigarh, as he brings the vibrant flavours of Southeast Asia to your plate with Bambu Bali Chicken—a Balinese classic celebrated for its rich, spicy complexity and deep cultural roots.

This dish begins with a signature Base Bumbu—a potent mix of shallots, garlic, red chillies, shrimp paste, candlenuts, and tomatoes. The ingredients are lightly roasted to intensify the aroma before being ground into a thick paste. This forms the foundation of the dish, where the chicken is seared and simmered to perfection.

Infused with Bambu Bali paste, oyster sauce, sweet soy, palm sugar, chicken stock, and coconut milk, the chicken slowly absorbs a symphony of flavours—sweet, spicy, salty, and deeply savoury. A final touch of Nam Prik Pao, a Thai chilli jam, adds a hint of smokiness and warmth that lingers on the palate.

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Chef Sharma garnishes the dish with crispy fried shallots and fresh coriander, enhancing both texture and freshness. Best served with steamed jasmine or sticky rice, this preparation is perfect for a hearty meal that tells a story of tradition and passion.

“This dish captures the essence of Balinese cuisine—bold, aromatic, and soulful. At The LaLiT Chandigarh, we love introducing our guests to flavours that travel far but feel like home,” shares Chef Ankur Sharma.

With Bambu Bali Chicken, The LaLiT Chandigarh offers guests more than just food—it offers an experience steeped in authenticity and crafted with heart.


Beyond the Brew: Brau GALIE’s Bold New Beer-Tequila Cocktails Stir Up Bengaluru’s Bar Scene

Beyond the Brew: Brau GALIE’s Bold New Beer-Tequila Cocktails Stir Up Bengaluru’s Bar Scene

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 26, 2025

If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to cocktails, Brau GALIE in Bengaluru is here to prove you wrong. Pushing boundaries and shaking up the city's cocktail game, this buzzing hotspot has unveiled a bold and inventive range of beer-tequila fusion drinks that are anything but ordinary.

At the helm of this creative wave is Shashank Singh, Brau GALIE’s expert mixologist, who has crafted a menu that marries the fizz of freshly brewed beer with the boldness of tequila—resulting in drinks that surprise, delight, and keep the party going.

Here are four beer-tequila cocktails you have to try at Brau GALIE:

1. The Lagerita: Part Margarita, All Party!

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If you’re torn between sipping a zesty margarita or a chilled beer, the Lagerita lets you have both. This cocktail blends smooth tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and tops it off with Brau GALIE’s Munich Lager. It’s fizzy, tangy, and guaranteed to kickstart a good time.

2. Bloody Maria: The Bold Brunch Disruptor

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A spicier cousin of the Bloody Mary, this version swaps vodka for tequila and brings in Dunkel Lager6, creating a deep, smoky finish. Infused with tomato juice, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of Tabasco, Bloody Maria is the fiery yet balanced rebel that brunch never knew it needed.

3. Spiked Mangoes: A Tropical Tease

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Love mangoes? This drink's for you. Spiked Mangoes combines mango purée, lemon juice, and tequila, all finished with a pour of Brau GALIE’s seasonal mango ale. It’s lush, exotic, and refreshing—a tropical vacation in a glass with a grown-up twist.

4. Teqroni: A Smoky, Spirited Remix

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Classic cocktail lovers, meet your new favorite. The Teqroni is a daring reimagining of the Negroni, swapping gin for tequila and layering it with Campari, Aperol, and a splash of Sula Shiraz. The result? A rich, citrusy, bittersweet blend with dark berry undertones—served over ice and topped with an orange twist.

Brau GALIE's beer-tequila cocktail lineup is more than just innovative—it’s a testament to Bengaluru’s evolving bar culture and the creativity of local talent. So the next time you’re craving something new, ditch the usual and head to Brau GALIE to raise a glass to bold ideas and brilliant brews.


Celebrate Rakshabandhan with Thoughtful Hampers from Sheraton Grand Palace Indore

Celebrate Rakshabandhan with Thoughtful Hampers from Sheraton Grand Palace Indore

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 26, 2025

This Rakshabandhan, celebrate the cherished bond of sibling love with ‘Sneh Sutra’, an exclusive festive hamper collection by Sheraton Grand Palace Indore. Thoughtfully curated to blend tradition with elegance, these hampers offer a meaningful and heart-warming way to show your love—whether your sibling is near or far.

The Basic Hamper captures the essence of simplicity and sentimentality. With five carefully selected Indian sweets, two intricately designed rakhis, and a traditional roli chawal set, it makes for a graceful and genuine expression of affection. What makes this hamper even more special is the option to personalize the contents, transforming it into a deeply meaningful gift steeped in tradition and nostalgia.

For those looking to go a step further, the Premium Hamper offers a richer, more indulgent experience. It includes eight handcrafted sweets ranging from timeless favorites to innovative fusion treats, four bespoke rakhis, a roli chawal set, fragrant candles, and a curated mix of premium dry fruits. All of this is presented in eco-friendly, elegant packaging, combining festive opulence with mindful gifting.

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Sheraton Grand Palace Indore has beautifully woven together elements of love, heritage, and modern elegance in each hamper, ensuring that every gift feels as unique as the bond it celebrates.

What: Rakshabandhan Hampers – Sneh Sutra
Where: Sheraton Grand Palace Indore
When: 31st July – 9th August 2025

Whether you’re near or miles apart, these festive hampers offer a memorable way to honor your sibling connection—celebrating Rakshabandhan not just with sweets and rakhis, but with warmth, tradition, and love wrapped into every box.

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