An exclusive sneak-peek into the most coveted Title Of The Year: Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024
The competition was first conceptualised and hosted in 2017
As the name suggests, Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year (CPY) is Belgian Chocolate maker Callebaut’s country-wide flagship initiative giving pastry chefs and chocolatiers a platform to showcase their passion and creativity to win the title. The competition was first conceptualised and hosted in 2017.
Each edition of CPY focusses on a theme within which chefs have to ideate and create their chocolate masterpieces. The competition is intense and challenges chefs to showcase their skill across bakery-pastry and confectionery creations.
“Callebaut is a preferred brand for chefs all over the world and we are focused on enabling chefs to craft at their best. With Callebaut Patissier of the Year, we take a step further to provide a platform for our talented pastry chefs in India to showcase their craft to the larger community nationally and globally. After hosting two successful editions, we hit a roadblock due to COVID, but we’re thrilled to bring CPY back for 2024 and are committed to engaging with and developing the chef community in India,” said Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Cocoa & Chocolate Ingredients India.
After witnessing the Future of Chocolate in 2019, Callebaut Patissier of the Year is making a comeback after 5 years. The 2024 edition theme is ‘Craft Your Signature’. Talking a little bit more about how this theme was conceived, Chef Pratik Deshmukh, Head of Chocolate Academy Mumbai and Head Of Jury for CPY 2024, said, “Originality is something that has always been celebrated, be it in any realm. Similarly, in the world of Chocolate & Pastry, being original holds a lot of value and respect. Modernization, access to the internet, and the use of social media has done wonders for the world, but many are feeling an increasing pressure to fit in, even chefs. Replicating trends from Instagram reels for increased engagement and popularity has become the norm and as a result, being authentic and putting your authentic self out there has become increasingly challenging. So, for this Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year, we aim to create a platform that celebrates chefs - their background, their culture and what makes them who they are - their Authentic self.”
The qualifying rounds of CPY 2024 were held in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru through the month of February. Twenty-Seven (27) chefs were challenged with three assignments in a day-long qualifier - a tart, bonbons and a 30cm showpiece to craft and showcase their signatures, and impress the jury with their story. Two winners were announced from each location, who will compete in the grand finale, which will be held in Mumbai on May 24th & 25th, 2024.
MEET GRAND FINALE LINE-UP
From the North region, Chef Anshul Grover, Pastry Chef at Indian Habitat Centre, and Chef Millan Shoran, Chef De Partie at JW Marriott Aerocity, have qualified to compete in the grand finale.
Last but not least, the South region will be represented by Chef Sandeep Sharma, Commis Chef at JW Marriott Kolkata, and Chef Krishanu Dey, Chef de Partie at Ritz Carlton Bangalore.
“The qualifier rounds were highly impressive, and we witnessed excellent designs and unique styles of creating signature dishes using the Callebaut chocolates,” said Chef Pratik Deshmukh on his experience as a jury for the qualifying events. “The quality of the creations and thought process from chefs was top-notch, and now I am eagerly looking forward to what they are working on for the grand finale,” he added.
In addition to the qualifying winners, the jury has announced two wild-card entries. Chef Vedangi Gawde, Commi at Sivako, and Chef Shashi Kiran, Junior Sous Chef at Amintiri, will compete alongside the qualifying winners in the finale.
The culmination of this culinary extravaganza is set to unfold in Mumbai with a two-day grand finale on May 24th and 25th, 2024, at Taj Lands End Bandra. Contestants will be challenged to craft signature dishes reflecting their originality across bakery, pastry, confectionery, and showpiece categories.
The grand finale jury panel will include Chef Minette Smith, Callebaut Global Creative Lead, Chef Romain Renard, Regional Head Chocolate Academies Centers - MENA, and Chef Arvind Prasad, Founder & Executive Pastry Chef at Whitecaps International School of Pastry, and Indian ambassador for Callebaut Chocolates, alongside Chef Pratik Deshmukh.
As the anticipation builds and the stage is set for the biggest event in the industry, the Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024 promises to be a spectacle of culinary brilliance, pushing the boundaries of creativity and setting new standards for the world of chocolate craftsmanship. May the best chef craft their signature masterpiece and leave an indelible mark on the culinary landscape!
Callebaut Patissier of the Year 2024 is organised in collaboration with The Chocolate Academy Mumbai, Unox, Elle, KitchenAid & Vire Professional, Delta Nutritives, BW Hotelier, and Zee Zest.
