Latest news with #PoojaDhingra
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The World's Best Pastry Shop
Claridge's ArtSpace Café in London, named LA LISTE's 2025 World's Best Pastry Shop, sits beneath a ... More gallery and offers sculpted cakes in an open, design-forward setting. LA LISTE's 2025 Pastry Special Awards celebrate 36 chefs across 18 countries—and reveal who's finally being seen in the world of pastry. From London's design-forward cafés to India's entrepreneurial stars, here's what these wins say about what we're really hungry for. A New Story for Pastry Claridge's ArtSpace Café in London, named LA LISTE's 2025 World's Best Pastry Shop, sits beneath a ... More gallery and offers sculpted cakes in an open, design-forward setting. For a long time, pastry was the soft landing at the end of a meal—the final touch, often overlooked. That's no longer the case. This week, LA LISTE—the global food guide best known for its Top 1,000 restaurant rankings—announced its 2025 Pastry Special Awards, spotlighting the chefs and shops shaping where dessert is going next. London's Claridge's ArtSpace Café was named World's Best Pastry Shop. Maxime Frédéric, known for couture-level creations at Cheval Blanc Paris and LV Cafés, earned World's Most Creative Pastry Chef. India's Pooja Dhingra was named Pastry Game Changer, a title that speaks to the reach of her work across culture, business, and identity. These awards don't just recognize talent. They highlight shifts in visibility, ownership, and creative autonomy. And with 60% of honorees identifying as women, this year's list reshapes what recognition in pastry looks like—and who's long deserved it. World's Best Pastry Shop: Claridge's ArtSpace Café (London) Chef: Thibaut Hauchard At Claridge's ArtSpace Café, guests move through a gallery before reaching the marble counter—a ... More deliberate invitation to linger and look before tasting. Claridge's ArtSpace Café sits just below one of London's most storied hotels, but it feels less like a traditional pastry counter and more like a curated gallery. Guests enter through an exhibition space before reaching a marble bar lined with sculpted cakes, seasonal miniatures, and made-to-order crêpes. The space is designed to invite you in, not just to serve you. ArtSpace Café reflects a broader trend in how people experience pastry. The display isn't hidden behind a fine-dining curtain. It's open, intentional, and part of the environment. It's the kind of third space where presentation, access, and daily ritual meet in a way that doesn't flatten the food or the guest. This award isn't just about perfectly executed food. It's about how the café reframes dessert as something worth building an entire experience around. World's Most Creative Pastry Chef: Maxime Frédéric (Cheval Blanc Paris, LV Cafés) Known for elegant play and architectural detail, Maxime Frédéric crafts pastries that blur the line ... More between dessert and design at Cheval Blanc Paris and LV Cafés. Maxime Frédéric's pastry work is meticulous, but what makes it resonate is how intuitive it feels. His creations are architectural but soft, elegant but full of play. They aren't made solely for visual appeal. These treats are meant to be held, broken into, and enjoyed In a landscape that sometimes prizes visual sameness, Frédéric's recognition reflects something quieter: personal style. His work doesn't rely on scale or novelty. It builds trust with the eater—moment by moment, bite by bite. Pastry Game Changer: Pooja Dhingra (India) Pooja Dhingra, who brought macarons to Mumbai, was recognized for her entrepreneurial impact and for ... More reshaping what pastry leadership can look like. Pooja Dhingra has helped define modern pastry in India not by replicating European tradition but by building something specific to her place, her story, and her community. From her bakery, Le15, to her writing and mentorship, her approach has created room for more people to imagine themselves in the pastry world. This award doesn't just honor her products. It acknowledges the path she's built—and the many people she's helped bring along with her. Dhingra's visibility has opened doors that didn't exist a decade ago. The work is pastry, yes—but also structure, invitation, and scale. London's Pastry Scene, Reframed Claridge's wasn't the only name from London to earn recognition this year. Lily Jones, of Lily Vanilli, was honored for her originality and impact. Her bakery has long pushed against the familiar aesthetic of the upscale bakery—less pastel, more perspective. Her cakes have always felt lived in, rooted in people and place. Scoff at The Savoy was recognized as one of the most exciting new openings. It blends British dessert nostalgia with a sharper, more modern edge. It's not a museum to enjoy afternoon tea—it's an update delivered with intention. London's showing us that pastry here isn't bound to tradition. It's being reinterpreted, sometimes irreverently, but always with a clear sense of who it's for. What These Awards Reflect More than a roundup of talent, this year's LA LISTE pastry awards read like a recalibration. They reflect a shift in both who gets counted and what counts as influence. Across the honorees, there's a shared clarity of purpose—whether it's expressed through precision, playfulness, or sheer entrepreneurial grit. Many of these chefs aren't just producing beautiful work; they're rewriting the rules of visibility, value, and voice in a category that has long rewarded refinement overreach. That 60% of this year's winners are women is not a footnote—it's a reshaping of the frame. The selections show a growing appetite for pastry that does more than sit prettily on a plate. They show us a global field no longer tethered to the traditions of Western haute pâtisserie but open to interpretation, expression, and community-led growth. In an era where food often doubles as language, acting as a mirror, explaining who we are, what we long for, and how we choose to show up—these wins point toward a version of pastry that's more porous, more personal, and far less willing to stay in the background. That LA LISTE chose to crown Claridge's—an open café, not a cloistered salon—as its World's Best Pastry Shop feels like part of that message. What's visible now isn't just the pastry. It's the people, the path, and the shift itself. About LA LISTE LA LISTE is best known for its Top 1,000 Restaurants ranking, using a data-driven system that compiles reviews, guidebooks, and expert input. Its Pastry Special Awards reflect more than technical skill—they recognize chefs and owners making meaningful contributions to their communities, cultures, and the broader conversation around dessert. Claridge's ArtSpace Café earned the top spot this year, but the deeper story is about what that win represents: a pastry shop made for wandering into, not waiting for. A space designed to surprise and slow you down. These iconic accolades don't just recognize the best—they help redefine what excellence looks like. Explore the full list of LA LISTE 2025 Pastry Special Award winners here.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
What Is 'Drops', Swiggy's New Limited-Edition Feature, How It Works
Swiggy has launched 'Drops,' a fresh feature offering exclusive, limited-edition dishes crafted by top chefs. Available for a brief window and in limited numbers, 'Drops' aims to make food delivery more exciting and exclusive for customers across the country. How Swiggy 'Drops' Works Partner restaurants develop unique recipes not regularly available on their regular menus. Drop date and time are announced on social media, directing users to the Swiggy app. Customers can book slots or join a waitlist if the slots sell out. Swiggy sends reminders just before the drop via notifications and WhatsApp. Orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chefs And Restaurants Behind 'Drops' The debut lineup includes gourmet creations from: Smash Guys by AB Gupta Le15 Patisserie by Pooja Dhingra. TwentySeven Bakehouse. Aubree. Ciclo Cafe. Louis Burger. Good Flippin's Burgers. Espressos AnyDay. These exclusive recipes, not found on regular menus, are released during timed "drops" on the Swiggy app. How To Access Swiggy 'Drops' Users can register their interest and book slots in advance. Once all slots are booked, a waitlist opens up. As the Drop time approaches, Swiggy sends timely reminders to ensure customers don't miss out. The experience is similar to flash sales. For restaurants, 'Drops' offers a way to connect with customers, test new recipes, and create high engagement and loyalty by offering exclusive experiences. What Swiggy And Partners Say "Drops is designed for urgency and exclusivity," said Sidharth Bhakoo, Chief Business Officer, Swiggy Food Marketplace. "With Drops, we're turning food ordering into something exciting, rare, and delicious," he said, as per It allows users to try new creations from chefs and brands they love, available only on Swiggy. For restaurant partners, it helps "generate buzz", test innovative recipes, and build stronger connections with their customers," he said. Restaurant partners have already seen positive results. Kishore Kumar, Founder of Aubree, said, "Teaming up with Swiggy has been a total game-changer. The 'Drops' feature created serious buzz for us as it got people talking, ordering, and sharing. We saw a 58 per cent spike in orders and up to 60 per cent more in-app visibility. Thanks to Swiggy, every drop feels like a celebration." AB Gupta, Co-founder of Smash Guys, said they "clocked over 100 orders within the first 10 minutes, thanks to 'Drops'.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Swiggy launches ‘Drops' a limited-edition feature: Here's what is the feature and how it works
The leading online food delivery platform, Swiggy has launched 'Drops', a first-of-its-kind feature offering limited-edition, chef-curated dishes exclusively on its app. Designed to bring a sense of urgency and exclusivity to food delivery, Drops introduces short-lived, limited-quantity dishes from cult-favourite restaurants and chefs, available for a short duration. The experience has kicked off with renowned chefs and gourmet brands that enjoy cult following, like Le15 Patisserie by Pooja Dhingra, Smash Guys by AB Gupta, Aubree, Ciclo Café, Louis Burger, Good Flippin's Burgers, TwentySeven Bakehouse, Espressos AnyDay and more. How Swiggy 'Drops' feature works Partner restaurants create unique recipes that aren't available regularly. The drop date and time are announced on social media, driving users to the Swiggy app . Customers can book a slot or join a waitlist if dishes sell out. As the drop nears, Swiggy sends reminders via push notifications and WhatsApp. Orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-serve basis, adding an element of excitement. For restaurant partners, Drops offer a new way to connect with their customers, test new recipes, and drive concentrated demand. It enables them to offer something exclusive or different to their customers, thereby higher levels of engagement and loyalty. Sidharth Bhakoo, chief business officer, Swiggy Food Marketplace, said, 'With the launch of this new feature, Swiggy reinforces its commitment to transforming food delivery from a service into an exciting, culturally relevant experience. Drops is designed for urgency and exclusivity. With Drops, we're turning food ordering into something exciting, rare, and delicious. It gives our users a chance to try something completely new, created by the chefs and brands they love, and available only on Swiggy. For our restaurant partners, it's a powerful way to generate buzz, test innovative food recipes, and create lasting connections with their communities in a fresh, memorable way.' AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Swiggy introduces ‘Drops' for food lovers to order limited-edition dishes on first-come, first-serve basis
Food delivery and quick commerce company Swiggy announced the launch of its 'Drops' programme, that will let users order limited-edition, chef-curated dishes that are available exclusively on its platform. Unlike regular orders that are available almost always, 'Drops' are only available for limited time intervals and will go to customers who order them on a first-come, first-serve basis. 'Drops' is meant to be a fun, new way for food lovers to engage with their favourite eateries and try new dishes and experiences that they can snap up online, if they're quick enough. 'Since the quantities are limited and orders are on a first-come, first-serve basis, users need to act fast to grab these exclusive dishes. Drops brings a sense of discovery and excitement and gives customers another reason to come back to the app- again and again, to see what's new in 'Drops'. It also makes them feel privileged to have access to exclusive dishes that are not available anywhere else,' said Swiggy in a press release. Social media will play a big role as brands promote their respective Swiggy 'Drops' through their official handles and direct fans to check out Swiggy for more information. There is also a waitlist for those who aren't fast enough to book their slots in time. Swiggy will send a reminder to users 10 minutes prior to the drop so they can place their orders before the items on offer are sold out. Some businesses and popular players in the food industry who are taking part in the programme include Le15 Patisserie by Pooja Dhingra, Smash Guys by AB Gupta, Aubree, Ciclo Café, Louis Burger, Good Flippin's Burgers, TwentySeven Bakehouse, Espressos AnyDay, and others. 'With the launch of this new feature, Swiggy reinforces its commitment to transforming food delivery from a service into an exciting, culturally relevant experience. Drops is designed for urgency and exclusivity. With Drops, we're turning food ordering into something exciting, rare, and delicious. It gives our users a chance to try something completely new, created by the chefs and brands they love, and available only on Swiggy. For our restaurant partners, it's a powerful way to generate buzz, test innovative food recipes, and create lasting connections with their communities in a fresh, memorable way,' said Sidharth Bhakoo, Chief Business Officer, Swiggy Food Marketplace.
Entrepreneur
20-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Swiggy Unveils 'Drops': A Limited-Edition Culinary Experience for Food Lovers
The 'Drops' initiative debuts with gourmet creations from celebrated names such as Le15 Patisserie by Pooja Dhingra, Smash Guys by AB Gupta, Aubree, Ciclo Café, Louis Burger, Good Flippin's Burgers, TwentySeven Bakehouse, and Espressos AnyDay. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a bold move to reimagine food delivery, Swiggy has launched 'Drops'—a first-of-its-kind, chef-curated, limited-edition food experience available exclusively on the platform. This new feature is designed to deliver not just meals but moments, offering food lovers across India an opportunity to taste exclusive recipes created by some of the country's most iconic chefs and restaurants—for a limited time and in limited quantities. The 'Drops' initiative debuts with gourmet creations from celebrated names such as Le15 Patisserie by Pooja Dhingra, Smash Guys by AB Gupta, Aubree, Ciclo Café, Louis Burger, Good Flippin's Burgers, TwentySeven Bakehouse, and Espressos AnyDay. These culinary names have built a loyal fan base, and through 'Drops,' Swiggy is turning anticipation into action by converting food into a collectible experience. Each Drop is announced ahead of time on social media, with restaurants unveiling their exclusive recipes and directing users to the Swiggy app. Users can book a slot to express interest, with a waitlist option once all slots are filled. Push notifications and WhatsApp reminders are sent out just before the Drop goes live—creating a sense of urgency and excitement akin to a flash sale. "Drops is designed for urgency and exclusivity," said Sidharth Bhakoo, Chief Business Officer, Swiggy Food Marketplace. "With Drops, we're turning food ordering into something exciting, rare, and delicious. It gives our users a chance to try something completely new, created by the chefs and brands they love, and available only on Swiggy. For our restaurant partners, it's a powerful way to generate buzz, test innovative food recipes, and create lasting connections with their communities in a fresh, memorable way." Restaurants are already seeing tangible benefits. "Teaming up with Swiggy has been a total game-changer," said Kishore Kumar, Founder of Aubree. "The 'Drops' feature created serious buzz for us as it got people talking, ordering, and sharing. We saw a 58% spike in orders and up to 60% more in-app visibility. Thanks to Swiggy, every drop feels like a celebration." AB Gupta, Co-founder of Smash Guys, added "We clocked over 100 orders within the first 10 minutes! Drops turned food delivery into an experience. It's a great tool to build excitement and loyalty, especially during new launches." With 'Drops,' Swiggy is not just delivering food—it's delivering excitement, exclusivity, and a new way to experience culinary innovation.
