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.


Six Fields Launches #CheersForMore Campaign with Anil Chaudhary

Six Fields Launches #CheersForMore Campaign with Anil Chaudhary

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 16, 2026

Six Fields has launched its Summer 2026 campaign, #CheersForMore, bringing internationally recognised cricket umpire Anil Chaudhary on board to create a fresh and engaging cricket-viewing experience. Launched during the ongoing cricket season, the campaign aims to encourage fans to celebrate not only match-winning moments but also the smaller moments that shape the game.

At the centre of the campaign is a digital film featuring Anil Chaudhary in a role not commonly seen in cricket brand campaigns. Instead of focusing only on players and high-impact moments, the campaign highlights the many events that keep fans emotionally invested throughout a match, from wides and dot balls to appeals, boundaries, near misses, and changing momentum.

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The idea behind the campaign comes from an interesting insight into fan behaviour. While cricket viewers remain emotionally connected from the first ball to the last, celebrations usually happen only during major moments like sixes, wickets, or final victories. Through #CheersForMore, Six Fields aims to make every moment worth celebrating.

Using familiar umpire signals as a creative element, the campaign transforms official gestures into easy fan reactions that people can use while watching matches together. Through this approach, Six Fields hopes to build a more interactive and socially driven viewing culture among modern cricket audiences.

Speaking about the campaign, Prem Dewan, Chairman and Managing Director of DeVANS Modern Breweries Ltd., said: “Cricket is one of India’s biggest entertainment experience and our campaign #CheersForMore celebrates the energy that exists in every moment of the game. The campaign reflects this energy and encourages fans to engage more actively throughout the game.”

The campaign’s choice of Anil Chaudhary also stands out. While many cricket campaigns usually feature current or former players, Six Fields has selected a personality closely associated with the game’s structure and authenticity. Having retired from IPL umpiring only last year, Chaudhary continues to be recognised as the most experienced umpire in IPL history, bringing familiarity and credibility to the campaign.

The initiative also reflects how cricket consumption habits are evolving, especially among younger audiences. Fans today interact with matches through memes, reels, fantasy leagues, watch parties, social media discussions, and live conversations beyond television screens. Brands are increasingly trying to become part of these moments rather than simply seeking visibility.

The campaign will roll out extensively across digital and social platforms during the cricket season. It will include creator collaborations, fan participation formats, influencer content, and real-time conversations to make the cheering behaviour more engaging and visible online.

Speaking on the campaign, Anil Chaudhary said: “Every signal on the field exists because every moment matters in cricket. Through #CheersForMore with Six Fields, we wanted to bring that same spirit to fans and encourage them to stay engaged with the game beyond just the major moments.”

With #CheersForMore, Six Fields is looking to strengthen its connection with cricket culture, social engagement, and celebration moments during one of India's biggest sporting seasons. Cheers For More with Six Fields!


Sheraton Grand Palace Indore Launches “Sarafa se Chappan” Culinary Experience

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore Launches “Sarafa se Chappan” Culinary Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore has introduced a new immersive dining concept titled “Sarafa se Chappan,” designed to celebrate the vibrant street food culture of Indore through a curated culinary journey.

The experience brings together the iconic flavours of Sarafa Bazaar’s lively night food scene and the diverse offerings of Chappan Dukan, two of the city’s most celebrated culinary destinations. Hosted at S Café, the initiative transforms familiar street food favourites into a refined, sit-down dining format while preserving their authenticity and regional character.

The specially curated menu features a wide range of Indori street food staples, including Potato Hot Dog, Sweet Potato Spiral, Jeeravan Spiced Corn, Indori Chatpati Bhel, and Tandoori Fruits. Complementing the food selection are locally inspired beverages such as Jamun Shots and Pineapple Crusher, designed to reflect the bold, tangy, and refreshing flavours associated with Indore’s street culture.

The concept is built around storytelling through food, where each dish represents a sensory connection to the city’s culinary heritage. By blending nostalgia with presentation-driven dining, the experience aims to recreate the energy and vibrancy of Indore’s bustling food streets within a premium hospitality setting.

According to the hotel, the initiative is designed to offer guests more than just a meal, focusing instead on immersive dining that engages taste, memory, and culture. The emphasis remains on authenticity, creativity, and regional identity, while presenting street food in a structured and elevated format.

The “Sarafa se Chappan” experience will be available every weekend from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Sheraton Grand Palace Indore, offering guests a curated journey through one of India’s most celebrated food cities.


Oliveto brings Venerdì Italiano evenings to The St. Regis Goa Resort this June

Oliveto brings Venerdì Italiano evenings to The St. Regis Goa Resort this June

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

Oliveto at The St. Regis Goa Resort is set to bring the charm of Italy to Goa with the launch of Venerdì Italiano evenings this June. Inspired by the relaxed and soulful dining traditions of Italy, the experience invites guests to slow down and enjoy a specially curated evening centred around food, conversation, and timeless flavours.

Scheduled every Friday throughout June, the dining experience embraces the essence of La Dolce Vita and recreates the warmth of a classic neighbourhood trattoria in a refined setting.

Guests can look forward to a chef-curated set menu featuring beloved Italian favourites thoughtfully presented with a contemporary touch. The menu will take diners through a carefully planned culinary journey, beginning with elegant antipasti and moving through signature classics before ending on indulgent dessert notes.

Designed to blend authenticity with modern finesse, Venerdì Italiano aims to offer more than just a meal. The evening promises a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy the comfort of traditional Italian dining with a refreshed perspective.

The experience will take place every Friday in June from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM at Oliveto, The St. Regis Goa Resort.

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