England Triumphs at IIHM’s Young Chef Olympiad; India-UAE Clinch Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge Trophy

England Triumphs at IIHM’s Young Chef Olympiad; India-UAE Clinch Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge Trophy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 15, 2025

The world’s largest culinary competition for young chefs, the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad, wrapped up its 11th edition with a spectacular closing ceremony in Kolkata. England’s Kamran Taylor emerged as the champion, standing out among talented participants from 50 countries. The Silver medal was claimed by Armenia’s Arsen Armenakyan, while the Bronze went to Yves Gabriel Cabrera Po from the Philippines.

The prestigious competition, organized by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in collaboration with the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, brought together young culinary talents in a spirited showcase of skill and creativity.

India had its moment of pride as Chef Aliakbar Mustafa Rampurawala from IIHM Bangalore, alongside UAE’s Jasmin Ali Maher Lutfi Jarrar, won the Dr. Suborno Bose Culinary International Challenge Prize. This category, designed to foster international collaboration, featured 28 teams paired into 14 duos, each representing two different countries.

South Korea’s Shi-Hyun An lifted the Plate Trophy, awarded to the best-performing team ranked between 11th and 20th after the initial rounds. The competition was fierce, with each participant bringing their finest culinary expertise to the global stage.

Reflecting on the event’s impact, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of the Young Chef Olympiad, remarked, “Under the grand Kolkata sky, the culinary world unites. This is what culinary diplomacy means—bringing people together through food. YCO is more than a competition; it’s a family.” The event also introduced a new venue for the opening ceremony in Goa, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Arabian Sea.

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Prof. David Foskett OBE, Chairman of the Jury, emphasized the unifying spirit of the competition, stating, “YCO is a grand celebration of friendship, unity, and passion. It demonstrates how food can connect people even in a world of conflict.”

Padmashri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor added, “YCO is built on compassion, and when you sustain it for 11 years, that compassion multiplies. It is a perfect blend of competition and collaboration. Dr. Bose is not just a visionary; he’s a man of steel, leading this movement with unwavering passion.”

Dr. Bose also shared IIHM’s latest initiative—integrating artificial intelligence into hospitality education. He announced the launch of a Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration on AI in Hospitality, a collaborative effort involving 50 countries to ensure technology enhances human connection and sustainability in the industry.

The night in Kolkata was not just about winners but about unity, cultural exchange, and the shared love of food. As young chefs from around the world came together, they reaffirmed their roles as ambassadors of culinary diplomacy, celebrating with joy, dance, and the vibrant spirit of global camaraderie.

About Young Chef Olympiad (YCO): 

Since its inception in 2015, the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) has provided young student chefs with a prestigious platform to showcase their skills on a global stage. Over the years, the Olympiad has witnessed rising culinary stars and celebrated dreams, solidifying its reputation as a premier event in the world of gastronomy.


Rosetta Hospitality Welcomes the Festive Season with Cake Mixing Ceremonies

Rosetta Hospitality Welcomes the Festive Season with Cake Mixing Ceremonies

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

Rosetta Hospitality has officially opened its festive season with its annual cake mixing ceremonies at Rosetta Sakleshpur in Karnataka and Elements by Rosetta in Varca, Goa. The celebrations mark the start of Estella 2025, the group’s signature year-end festive program, bringing guests, patrons, influencers and team members together to celebrate heritage, community and the warm spirit of Christmas.

At Rosetta Sakleshpur, the gathering brought together resident guests, VIPs, influencers and associates for a cheerful afternoon filled with festive charm. A hot-chocolate trolley added winter comfort while a live choir sang classic Christmas carols, creating a heartwarming atmosphere. Families, couples and team members joined around the grand mixing table to prepare a rich fruit blend of black currants, golden raisins, figs, cherries, cranberries, assorted nuts, orange peel, tutti frutti and warm spices. The mix was soaked in red wine, brandy and rum, setting the tone for the festive season at the resort.

A week earlier, Elements by Rosetta in Varca, Goa hosted its cake mixing ceremony on the resort lawns. Resident guests, non-resident patrons and team members participated in a lively afternoon by the poolside. Music, festive cheer and the coastal ambience shaped the celebration as participants mixed a generous blend of golden and black raisins, apricots, cranberries, prunes, figs, candied peels and assorted nuts with aged rum, brandy, white spirits, liqueurs and wine. A regional touch of Goan cashews added a coastal flavour to the traditional preparation.

Reflecting on this treasured tradition, Joint Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Jai Sreedhar said, “The cake mixing ceremony is one of our most cherished Christmas traditions at Rosetta Hospitality. It brings our guests, patrons, and teams together in a heartfelt way and sets the tone for the warmth and connection that define the festive season across our properties.”

Across both destinations, the ceremonies highlighted the importance of community celebrations within hospitality. With the fruit now resting in its aromatic blend, Rosetta Hospitality has set the stage for Christmas and New Year experiences under Estella 2025 at its Sakleshpur and South Goa properties.


BELAGIO Brings Italian Couture Desserts to Bengaluru

BELAGIO Brings Italian Couture Desserts to Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on December 9, 2025

Bengaluru has welcomed BELAGIO, the city’s newest luxury patisserie offering Italian couture-style desserts. Bringing a fresh touch of elegance to the dessert scene, BELAGIO is the creation of sisters Sushma and Shravya Reddy, who combine their strengths in hospitality, branding, and design to craft desserts that look as stunning as they taste.

BELAGIO’s signature entremets are crafted using traditional Italian techniques, layers of soft sponge, silky mousses, rich creams, and smooth ganaches, all perfected with flawless mirror glazes. The brand uses premium global ingredients, from Belgian chocolate to fine seasonal fruits, ensuring a balanced blend of flavours and textures. Each dessert is presented in bespoke packaging, making every order feel like an exclusive luxury gift.

Speaking about the launch, Sushma Reddy said, “Our goal is to make every celebration unforgettable. Every piece is created with care, designed to delight both the eyes and the palate.” Shravya added, “BELAGIO is more than desserts, it’s about creating beautiful moments that stay with you.”

The menu showcases a couture-style collection, featuring indulgent chocolate creations, bright berry profiles, light fruit-forward options, and fusion flavours. BELAGIO also caters to dietary preferences, offering sugar-free and high-protein choices without compromising on taste or elegance.

From browsing the gallery-style menu to unboxing a dessert in its signature packaging, BELAGIO ensures a refined, seamless experience for its guests. Perfect for intimate gatherings and milestone celebrations, the patisserie sets a new benchmark for premium desserts in the city.

Launching first as Bengaluru’s luxury online patisserie, BELAGIO has plans to expand across India through cloud delivery. The founders also envision exclusive cafés in Bengaluru followed by flagship outlets in key metro cities, with the aim of positioning BELAGIO as a leading destination for haute patisserie and bespoke celebrations.


BeeYoung Tropic: India’s First Crafted Tropical Pilsner Makes a Refreshing Debut

BeeYoung Tropic: India’s First Crafted Tropical Pilsner Makes a Refreshing Debut

By Hariharan U

Published on December 8, 2025

Kimaya Himalayan Beverages has launched a refreshing new addition to its popular BeeYoung craft beer lineup, BeeYoung Tropic, India’s first crafted Tropical Pilsner. The new variant made its debut at Doon Music Festival Season 4, setting a lively and youthful tone that matches the brand’s spirit.

BeeYoung, known across India for its crisp taste and energetic vibe, created this new brew at its microbrewery in New Delhi’s BeeYoung Brewgarden. What began as an experimental favourite among visitors soon turned into a standout creation worth taking nationwide.

BeeYoung Tropic is crafted to bring a bright, feel-good experience with every sip. The flavour profile highlights gentle notes of mango and passion fruit, layered over a light-bodied, crisp pilsner base with a smooth malty finish. Designed to pair comfortably with all cuisines and seasons, it’s the kind of beer meant for unwinding, celebrating and connecting with friends.

After extensive trials, the team perfected its canning process to ensure the same fresh, clean and fruity profile reaches consumers everywhere.

Expressing his excitement, Abhinav Jindal, CEO and Founder of Kimaya Himalayan Beverages, said, “With the launch of BeeYoung Tropic Pilsner, we aim to capture the feeling of pure joy and togetherness that arises from great craft beer. Launching it here in Dehradun, the city where BeeYoung was born, surrounded by music and mountains, feels like the perfect homecoming for this tropical journey.”

BeeYoung Tropic now joins the brand’s flagship craft brews, continuing the brand’s strong connection with India’s young and fearless beer community.

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