Garden Cafe, Newtown has expanded its culinary offerings with the launch of an international-standard bakery, bringing handcrafted cakes, desserts, brownies, and premium baked creations inspired by global techniques to Kolkata.

The new bakery experience focuses on artisanal baking, premium ingredients, and contemporary flavours, offering guests a curated selection of desserts designed to combine international standards with comforting familiar tastes.

Leading the bakery is Chef Bipasha Majumdar, whose experience with renowned luxury hospitality brands across global destinations has shaped the bakery’s creative direction. Having worked with acclaimed properties including St. Regis Garden in Dubai and Atlantis The Palm, as well as luxury hospitality brands in Turks and Caicos, Chef Bipasha brings expertise in artisanal baking, precision, and modern dessert presentation.

Her approach combines international baking traditions with balanced flavours, creating desserts that reflect both sophistication and warmth.

The bakery menu features signature creations such as the Milk Fudge Cake (Parsi Mawa Cake), crafted with slow-cooked milk fudge and aromatic flavours; the Filter Coffee Cake, combining South Indian filter coffee notes with chocolate sponge; the Chocolate Mousse Box, Caramel Biscoff Cup, and the Toasted Milk & Dulce Brownie.

Guests can also explore Chef Bipasha’s signature desserts, including The Coffee Bean, featuring dark roast coffee mousse, hazelnut filling, and coffee-soaked sponge wrapped in dark chocolate; the Black Velvet Tart with raspberry compote and cream cheese; and the New York-style Blueberry Cheesecake topped with blueberry compote.

Adding an interactive element to the experience, Garden Cafe Newtown will also offer freshly prepared Belgian Waffles made live for guests in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Red Velvet flavours.

Commenting on the launch, Sandip Nowlakha, Founder, Garden Cafe, said, "Introducing our new bakery range at Garden Café, Newtown, crafted with the finest ingredients, international standards, and a passion for excellence. This launch reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional quality, warm hospitality and memorable experiences for our guests."

The bakery launch marks another step in Garden Cafe’s journey of blending traditional culinary roots with contemporary dining experiences.

About Garden Cafe:

Established in 1968, Garden Cafe is one of Kolkata’s oldest South Indian vegetarian cafés, known for combining tradition with creativity. The brand was reimagined by Sandip Nowlakha in 1981 and today operates five outlets across Kolkata, with Newtown being its latest addition.

The café was among the first establishments in Kolkata to introduce pizza using a cherished family recipe. Since 1982, Garden Cafe has also been recognised for offering 108 varieties of dosa, each featuring unique flavours and preparations.

The Newtown outlet features a serene ambience with an open kitchen concept and a green outdoor seating area, creating a relaxed dining experience that blends heritage with modern hospitality.

Premium tequila brand Loca Loka has announced the launch of Loca Tequila Week, a new annual global celebration designed to bring together bartenders, hospitality partners, creators, media, and consumers to celebrate craftsmanship, cocktail culture, and premium tequila experiences.

Beginning on World Tequila Day, July 24, 2026, the week-long celebration will extend beyond a single-day occasion, creating a platform for immersive experiences across India and select international markets.

Built around Loca Loka’s philosophy of “100 or Nothing,” the initiative aims to celebrate not just tequila as a spirit but also the people, creativity, and hospitality culture shaping its future.

With tequila emerging as one of the fastest-growing premium spirits categories globally, Loca Tequila Week has been created as an annual platform that places bartenders, bars, and modern cocktail culture at the centre of the celebration while helping consumers explore tequila through authentic experiences.

The week-long programme will feature a range of interactive brand experiences, including Loca Clock / Digital Timer, Loca Dice / Roll the Dice, and Loca Toss / Coin Toss, along with curated tasting sessions, creator collaborations, and exclusive media engagements.

Across India, the celebration will be hosted through collaborations with leading hospitality destinations in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, and Chandigarh, bringing together premium restaurants, cocktail bars, and hospitality partners.

Commenting on the launch, Rajiv Ghumman, Global Business Head, Loca Loka, said: "Premium tequila is entering one of the most exciting phases in its global journey. Consumers today are looking beyond familiar spirits and embracing brands that stand for authenticity, craftsmanship and memorable experiences. We wanted World Tequila Day to become a cultural platform that belongs to everyone shaping the category."

He added, "Loca Tequila Week reflects that ambition. By bringing together bartenders, hospitality partners, creators and consumers across multiple markets, we are celebrating not just tequila, but the community that continues to elevate it around the world."

Speaking about India’s role in the initiative, Rohit Srinivasan, Vice President Marketing, Loca Loka, said, "India's premium cocktail culture has evolved dramatically over the past few years, making it the perfect market to bring this vision to life. Every experience during Loca Tequila Week has been designed to encourage exploration, conversation and discovery."

He added that the brand aims to create experiences where guests not only enjoy exceptional cocktails but also develop a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and culture behind every bottle of Loca Loka.

Participating Venues:

Delhi:
Painkiller, Tranzit, Grammie, Miss Margarita, Yeti, Lair

Bengaluru:
Geist, Noba, BLR Brewing Co

Mumbai:
Quorum Club, Mansionz

Goa:
Petisco, W Hotel, Bar 1240, The Westin, De Candolim Deck

Chandigarh:
Back to Source, Seville, Saggo, Caffetaria & Co, The Great Beer

Starting on July 24, 2026, Loca Tequila Week aims to establish itself as an annual celebration of premium tequila, hospitality, and the shared experiences created around great drinks.

Lee Kum Kee Sauce, a global leader in authentic Asian sauces and condiments, has expanded its foodservice product portfolio in India with the launch of Lee Kum Kee Japanese Style Soy Sauce.

Introduced in partnership with Earthling Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd., Lee Kum Kee’s authorised and exclusive import and distribution partner for North India, the new product aims to support the increasing demand for authentic Japanese and Asian cuisine across India’s foodservice sector.

The naturally brewed Lee Kum Kee Japanese Style Soy Sauce features a rich aroma and balanced umami profile, with first-draw essence extraction delivering depth and consistency for professional kitchens. The product is designed for diverse culinary applications including sushi, donburi, stir-fries, marinades, glazes, grilled meats, seafood, and contemporary Asian dishes.

The sauce contains no added MSG, is Halal-certified, and is suitable for vegetarians, making it suitable for a wide range of culinary operations across hotels, restaurants, cafés, and cloud kitchens.

Commenting on the launch, Ashok Pandey, Associate Business Director – India & MEA, Lee Kum Kee Sauce, said, "India is one of the most exciting growth markets for Asian cuisine today, and chefs need ingredients that taste right and perform consistently in their busy kitchens. The launch of the Japanese Style Soy Sauce reinforces our commitment to supporting the continued growth of Asian cuisine in India by providing chefs with authentic, high-quality ingredients they can trust."

Speaking on the partnership, Shippy Sharma, Managing Director, Earthling Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd., said, "Japanese cuisine continues to gain wider acceptance across India's foodservice industry. Our partnership with Lee Kum Kee enables us to provide chefs and foodservice operators with high-quality ingredients that support consistency, reliability, and everyday kitchen operations."

With Japanese and Asian culinary concepts gaining popularity across India, the new product is positioned to support chefs in creating authentic flavours while maintaining operational efficiency and consistency at scale.

Lee Kum Kee Japanese Style Soy Sauce is now available for restaurants, hotels, cafés, cloud kitchens, and other foodservice operators across India.

The launch reflects Lee Kum Kee’s continued commitment to quality through its “100-1=0” philosophy, where every detail matters. Products marketed in India undergo rigorous quality checks and comply with applicable Government of India regulations, including relevant Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requirements.

About Lee Kum Kee Sauce:

Founded in 1888, Lee Kum Kee Sauce is a global provider of Asian sauces and condiments, offering more than 300 products across over 100 countries and regions. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company continues to promote Asian culinary culture worldwide through its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation.

About Earthling Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd.:

Founded in 2023, Earthling Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd. is a foodservice solutions company focused on supplying chef-grade ingredients to professional kitchens across India. As Lee Kum Kee’s authorised and exclusive import and distribution partner for North India, the company supports restaurants, hotels, cafés, cloud kitchens, and institutional customers through an extensive distribution network.