Mumbai Pastry Chef Creates 4-Foot Tall, 75-Kg Chocolate Ganpati
Divine Idol Sculpted in 36 Hours of Artistry
POSTED BY : MRUNALI SAKPAL DT. 17/09/2026 📞 8850212023
MUMBAI : RMI.IN :- Ganeshotsav is a confluence of devotion, art and creativity. Giving this creativity a uniquely sweet twist, Mumbai-based renowned pastry chef, chocolatier and entrepreneur Chef Sankesh Bangera has sculpted a magnificent 4-foot tall, 75-kg Lord Ganesha idol made entirely from chocolate.
Created for Jay Foods, Pune, this grand and intricately detailed idol has now become the talk of the town and is being hailed as one of the most detailed chocolate Ganpatis ever made in India.
It took Chef Sankesh and his team a total of 36 hours spread across three days to complete this artwork. The objective was not just to create a large-sized idol, but to bring out Bappa’s divine expression and serenity through every minute detail.
Journey from Luxury Hotels to Own Brand
Chef Sankesh Bangera is not a new name in the world of patisserie. He completed his professional training in Culinary Arts from the United Kingdom. He then worked with world-renowned luxury hospitality brands like JW Marriott, St. Regis and The Ritz Carlton in India and abroad. He has extensive experience working in Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Auckland.
With this rich experience, he started his own brand ‘Art of Cakes’, which works on designer cakes, chocolates, desserts and edible art. He also runs ‘Khobake & Co, The Cake Room’, a popular cafe in Khar West, Mumbai, which is loved for its European-style desserts and artistic creations.
The Art and Hard Work Behind the Idol
Talking about the creation process, Chef Sankesh said, “The idea was never just to make a large chocolate Ganpati. I wanted the detailing and expression to be the heart of the piece. It should not just look like a chocolate structure, it should feel like Bappa himself.”
His team worked with extreme patience on every part. “We worked individually on the face, trunk, hands, crown, jewellery, weapons, drapery and even the Mushak (mouse). A lot of the process involved shaping, correcting and rebuilding until the sculpture felt right. Working with chocolate is a huge challenge because temperature and humidity affect it immediately,” he said.
The thought he carried throughout was very simple – “I wanted people to see Bappa first and discover the chocolate afterwards. First devotion, then art.”
Bappa Sculpted Through Teamwork
This project was not possible alone. He received immense support from the team of Jay Foods, Pune, and especially Jatin Bhai. “His warmth, trust and involvement made the entire experience very special. He gave us complete freedom and confidence,” said Chef Sankesh.
Chef Sheban Ali and Chef Sandesh Pawar also worked closely with him and played an important role in bringing the sculpture to life. Their hard work in chocolate tempering, molding, sculpting and assembling made the final masterpiece possible.
Chocolate as a Medium of Craftsmanship
Finally, Chef Sankesh said, “For me, this creation represents exactly what I want Art of Cakes to stand for. Chocolate is not just an ingredient or a food item; it can become a powerful medium for craftsmanship, sculpture, design and storytelling. Through this medium, I want to show that even food can express emotions, devotion and stories.”
The chocolate Bappa displayed at Jay Foods, Pune is now attracting a large number of devotees and food lovers, and its photos and videos are going viral on social media.
