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.


NoBa Opens in Bengaluru's Kalyan Nagar with a Cocktail-First Dining Experience

NoBa Opens in Bengaluru's Kalyan Nagar with a Cocktail-First Dining Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 26, 2026

NoBa has officially opened its doors in Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, bringing a fresh cocktail-led dining experience to North Bangalore. Designed as a destination where food, beverages and hospitality come together, the 120-seater venue offers guests a vibrant yet relaxed setting to explore thoughtfully crafted flavours.

At the centre of NoBa's concept is its cocktail programme, which has been curated by industry veteran Bala, who brings more than 19 years of experience in the beverage industry. The bar menu focuses on creativity, technique and storytelling, with every cocktail carefully developed to deliver a memorable drinking experience.

Using house-made syrups, infusions and unique flavour combinations, the team has created a range of original cocktails that balance sophistication with accessibility. Rather than being an addition to the dining experience, cocktails form the core of NoBa's identity, encouraging guests to discover new flavours while enjoying a welcoming atmosphere.

The food menu has been designed to complement the beverage programme, featuring globally inspired dishes that naturally pair with the cocktails. The close collaboration between the kitchen and bar ensures a seamless experience where both elements work together to enhance the guest journey.

The restaurant's interiors draw inspiration from modern Mediterranean design, featuring high ceilings, natural light, earthy tones and contemporary details. The space effortlessly transforms from a relaxed dining destination during the day to an energetic social venue in the evening, centred around its vibrant bar experience.

While positioned as a premium offering, NoBa has been created with an inclusive approach. The venue aims to provide a comfortable environment where guests can enjoy innovative food and drinks, meaningful conversations and genuine hospitality.

With its focus on exceptional cocktails, quality cuisine and a thoughtfully designed setting, NoBa marks a new addition to Bengaluru's growing dining and nightlife landscape, offering a destination where guests can connect, explore and enjoy memorable experiences.

  • Venue: NoBa, 5th Floor, 714, HRBR Layout 1st Block, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043
  • Timings: 12 Noon to 12 AM


Katana Introduces Baiu Menu to Celebrate Bengaluru’s Monsoon Season

Katana Introduces Baiu Menu to Celebrate Bengaluru’s Monsoon Season

By Hariharan U

Published on June 26, 2026

Katana has introduced its special Baiu menu, a seasonal culinary experience inspired by Japan's traditional plum rain season and designed to complement Bengaluru's monsoon months.

Available from 1st July onwards, the curated menu brings together comforting Japanese flavours, warm bowls, crispy bites, and signature beverages crafted for cosy rainy-day dining. The concept draws inspiration from Baiu, the rainy season in Japan, offering guests an experience that reflects the warmth and comfort associated with the period.

Among the highlights are dishes such as Crispy Enoki, Teba No Yaki, spicy and creamy chicken wings, and Salmon Tartar served on potato cakes. Each dish has been thoughtfully selected to suit the cooler weather while showcasing Katana's contemporary approach to Japanese cuisine.

A standout feature of the menu is the Quick Ramen, a customizable ramen experience that allows diners to select their preferred broth and protein combination, creating a personalised bowl tailored to individual tastes.

For sushi enthusiasts, Katana is offering a premium 20-piece Assorted Sushi Platter featuring salmon sashimi, gunkan maki, sake maki, spicy tuna uramaki, salmon nigiri, and tuna nigiri. The platter brings together a variety of textures and flavours, making it ideal for sharing.

Guests looking for classic Japanese-inspired appetisers can also enjoy favourites such as Prawn Gyoza, Beef Gyoza, and Prawn Corn Fritters, adding a mix of comforting and indulgent options to the seasonal offering.

To complement the food menu, Katana has introduced a selection of specialty sake-based cocktails. The Tiramisu No Yoru combines sake with fresh cream and homemade tiramisu syrup, while the Katana Counsel blends sake, vermouth, and merlot for a richer flavour profile.

Another signature creation, Pearl Blossom, features sake, guava juice, mint, homemade strawberry syrup, and soda, delivering a refreshing balance suited to Bengaluru's monsoon evenings.

With the launch of Baiu, Katana aims to create a seasonal dining experience that combines Japanese culinary traditions with contemporary flavours, offering guests a destination for comforting food, handcrafted cocktails, and memorable monsoon gatherings.


Encalm Launches Encalm Eats, Debuts IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport

Encalm Launches Encalm Eats, Debuts IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on June 25, 2026

Encalm has announced the launch of Encalm Eats, a dedicated food and beverage vertical that marks the company's entry into the creation and management of hospitality-led dining concepts. The new venture aims to develop distinctive culinary brands while expanding Encalm's integrated hospitality ecosystem across airports and other high-footfall destinations.

As its first in-house brand concept, Encalm Eats has introduced IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport. Designed around the idea of bringing India's flavours to travellers one sip at a time, the café celebrates the country's rich beverage heritage while offering a contemporary café experience.

The launch represents a natural extension of Encalm's hospitality portfolio, which already spans airport lounges, meet-and-assist services, wellness offerings, and in-flight catering. Through Encalm Eats, the company plans to build a portfolio of original food and beverage concepts alongside select partner brands, focusing on authentic flavours, operational excellence, and evolving consumer preferences.

At IndiSip Café, guests can choose from a wide selection of beverages inspired by India's tea culture, including Ginger Cardamom Chai, Kesar Chai, Gulab Chai, and Kashmiri Kahwa. The menu also features handcrafted coffees, iced lattes, espressos, and indulgent shakes designed to cater to both traditional and modern tastes.

Complementing the beverage selection is a food menu that blends regional favourites with café classics. Offerings include Masala Samosa, Khopara Patties, Irani Bun Maska, Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps, and Achari Chicken Tikka Wraps, alongside croissants, muffins, cookies, and other grab-and-go options suited to today's travellers.

Commenting on the launch, Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer, Encalm, said the introduction of Encalm Eats marks the next phase of the company's vision to create a comprehensive hospitality ecosystem. He noted that food and beverage experiences remain one of hospitality's most important touchpoints and that IndiSip reflects the company's commitment to enhancing every stage of the guest journey.

Deepak Bhatia, Business Head, Encalm Eats, added that the company intends to build a portfolio of concepts rooted in authentic flavours, consumer insight, and consistent quality. He described IndiSip as the first step in a larger strategy to create memorable dining experiences through thoughtfully designed food and beverage brands.

The launch of IndiSip Café signals the beginning of Encalm Eats' broader expansion plans, with the company aiming to introduce innovative dining concepts across multiple formats and locations. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, Encalm Eats plans to focus on creating culinary experiences that combine authenticity, convenience, and quality.

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