Chocolate is more than just a sweet treat. It is an emotion, memory, celebration, romance, and all things in between. Such is the craze for this delicacy that 7th July is globally celebrated as “World Chocolate Day” to mark the introduction of chocolate in Europe in the 1500s. The day is dedicated to enjoying and indulging in chocolate in all forms. The rich and indulgent taste of chocolate is loved and celebrated by everyone which brings us to the business side of things. In India, the market size of chocolate is a massive one.

As per a market report, it is estimated that “the India Chocolate Market size is expected to grow from USD 2,072.42 million in 2023 to USD 2,858.10 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.64% during the forecast period (2023-2028)”. 

There are traditional brands of chocolate like - Amul, Cadbury, and Nestle that have ruled the market for many years. But, in the past few years, there is a growing number of home-grown artisanal chocolates that have delighted the taste buds of their customers. Some notable names are - Smoor, Mason & Co, Pascati, Savorworks, and many more. 

These homegrown brands of chocolate and the popularity of celebrity chefs on Instagram have contributed to a growing demand for high-quality chocolates which are personalized, unique, and superior in taste.

Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms in India where talented and qualified chocolatiers and patisserie chefs showcase their work. Here are the ten most celebrated names in the field who are known to create the most delectable chocolate products -

# 1 Varun Imandar 

He is regarded as India’s “best-known chocolatier” and is an alumnus of the prestigious “Oberoi Center of Learning and Development”. His work has been widely covered in the news and he is credited to make India’s first life-size mannequin with pure chocolate. 

Imandar has also presented several cooking shows on television and the web. The chef is also a food stylist and a winner of two National awards. He is also a “Guinness World Record Holder” for making the largest chocolate mud pie. 

The body of work behind him truly puts him on this celebrated chocolatier list in the country. 

# 2 Pooja Dhingra 

Any discussion on chocolates and pastry is incomplete without the mention of “Macroon Queen of India”- Pooja Dhingra. Besides being a talented patisserie chef, she is an inspiration to a number of women in the field of business. Dhingra started her entrepreneurial journey in 2010 with just two staff working under her in Mumbai. In 2016, she opened her first store Le15 Cafe in South Mumbai.  As of today, the business is operating from four stores in different locations in the city. She also has a massive following on Instagram with 7.1 million followers where she regularly posts pictures of her delightful chocolate creations and business updates. 

# 3 Chef Guntas Sethi

Chef Guntas Sethi's YouTube and Instagram bio describes her as -a trained patisserie chef from Le Cordon Bleu, London, recipe curator, developer, and EU food Ambassador. These are amazing professional accomplishments and reflect on her Instagram page which is filled with pictures of her creation. Chocolate lovers who worry about calories must check for these recipes - quinoa chocolate cake and healthy Ferrero rocher on her page. 

# 4 Rumana Jaseel 

Rumana Jaseel is one of the leading pastry chefs in India. She is the owner of Incredible Art- an Artisan Cake Boutique in Kochi, Kerala. With a career spanning over 15 years, Jaseel has won several accolades. She was a finalist in the Wedding cake category for the prestigious Cake Masters Awards held in Birmingham, UK in 2015. 

Given her expertise in Wedding cakes, she takes master classes in various locations in India and Dubai. In 2018, she won the title of “Chocolate Hero” Barry Callebaut, the world's largest manufacturer of high-quality chocolates and cocoa powder. 

# 5 Vinesh Jhonny

Described as an “Indian trailblazer spreading the gospel of pastry art”, Vinesh Jhony is an author and co-founder of Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts in Bangalore. He along with the chefs at the academy created the legendary INS Vikrant for the Indian Navy. The sculpture was made out of 100% pure chocolate and was displayed at the Aero India show, in Bangalore. 

Vinesh’s Instagram page is a work of art. The recipes are decadent, experimental, and truly beautiful in appearance. 

# 6 Chef Tejasvi Chandela

Chef Tejasvi Chandela is a pastry chef, chocolate maker, and founder of “ All Things Chocolate”, an artisanal chocolate brand in India. It is a “bean to bar” chocolate brand which relies on locally sourced ingredients for its products and is free from preservatives and refined sugar. Known for superior taste and quality,” All Things Chocolate” is one of the best-growing chocolate brands in India. 

Hailing from the beautiful city of Jaipur, Tejasvi showed interest in culinary art and completed her diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. She is deeply interested in Indian culinary and modern pastry techniques, and the flavors of chocolate from her brand truly reflect that. 

# 7 Chef Ruhee Bhimani Lokhandwala

Chef Ruhee is a pastry chef and recipe creator and has done a course in chocolates and Pralines and French entremets from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. She specializes in egg-free bakes and desserts and conducts virtual workshops in baking and dessert making for home bakers across India. She has also successfully authored a cookbook called “The Guilt Free Whey”. 

# 8 Shivesh Bhatia

A popular face on Facebook and Instagram, Shivesh Bhatia is a self-taught baker and author of some of the best-selling dessert recipe books in India. He has a following of 1.7 million on Instagram where he posts innovative chocolate recipes which are easy to follow. 

He is a go-to person for anyone who wants to start baking. The simplicity of his recipes is truly the reason why he is one of the most sought-after Instagram chefs in India today. Shivesh was recently featured on the 30 under 30 Asia list, which is truly inspirational for several budding chefs and chocolatiers in India. 

# 9 Sahil Garg

Sahil Garg is a pastry chef and chocolatier from Jodhpur. Alumnus of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Sahil regularly conducts online workshops on eggless brownies and tea cakes. He recently opened a bakery shop Petit Paris in his hometown Jodhpur. 

#10 Anil Rohria

Last, but certainly not least, Anil Rohira is a notable pastry chef and chocolatier in India. He entered the world of pastry at the Culinary Institute of America, New York. He worked as an executive pastry chef at  Chevy Chase Club, Washington D.C. Later he went on to Captain Team USA at Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, World Pastry Cup. 

He is the co-founder of the School of European Pastry, where aspiring chocolate and pastry chefs are taught the art of baking, chocolate baking, and entrepreneurship. 

Conclusion

Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree, which are harvested, fermented, roasted, and ground. Then it is processed to produce cocoa solids and cocoa butter and chocolate. These forms of chocolate then reach the workshops of chocolatiers and pastry chefs who then mix sugar, milk, and other ingredients to create unique flavors and blends of chocolate bars and desserts. 

So, whether one enjoys chocolate for its taste, as a comfort food, or for its health benefits, World Chocolate Day is a delightful occasion to savor and appreciate this beloved treat. 

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