Brands
La Chérie’s Dancing Cloud Japanese cheesecake lands in Mumbai
MUMBAI: Pune’s much-loved dessert house La Chérie has wafted into Mumbai with its headline act — the Dancing Cloud Japanese Cheesecake — a dessert so airy it trembles like silk.
A runaway hit in Pune, the souffle-style cheesecake has become a sensation for its cloud-soft texture, subtle sweetness and melt-in-the-mouth finish. Steering clear of dense, sugary cheesecakes, La Chérie’s version is baked fresh in small batches with no preservatives or artificial stabilisers — just pure technique and clean ingredients.
“We wanted to offer something that feels familiar yet surprising — comforting but elegant,” says the La Chérie team. “The Dancing Cloud is our idea of quiet indulgence — it doesn’t shout; it stays with you.”
With Mumbai currently in the grip of a Japanese culinary wave — from omakase dining to kawaii cafés — the brand’s entry could not be better timed. Its cloud kitchens serve a full range of cheesecakes, though the Japanese variant is the undisputed hero. Available on Swiggy and Zomato, the line-up includes the Mini Dancing Cloud (Rs 299), the Chocolate variant (Rs 359) and the Big Dancing Cloud Whole Cheesecake (Rs 899).
What sets La Chérie apart is its restraint. There’s no gelatin, compound chocolate, agar or bulking agents — only precision baking and honest ingredients. Made with eggs, the cheesecake can be savoured warm or chilled, offering a different experience each time.
Founded in 2020, La Chérie has built its name on craftsmanship and purity — from its signature Japanese cheesecake to its indulgent New York version. Its Mumbai launch signals more than just expansion — it’s a sweet shift in the city’s dessert culture: thoughtful, modern, and blissfully light.
Brands
Mahesh Samat steps down from The Walt Disney Company after 9 years
Veteran executive closes four-decade career spanning Disney, J&J and Epic
MUMBAI: Mahesh Samat has stepped down from The Walt Disney Company, bringing the curtain down on a career that has spanned four decades across FMCG, healthcare, media and entertainment.
In a personal note marking the milestone, Samat said, “After 40 years, I’m calling it a day,” reflecting on a journey that saw him build brands, launch businesses and lead teams across multiple geographies.
Samat spent over nine years at Disney in senior leadership roles, most recently serving as global head of publishing and branded retail. Prior to that, he held positions including EVP, consumer, games and publishing for APAC, and managing director for India, playing a key role in expanding the company’s regional footprint.
Before rejoining Disney in 2016, he founded and led Epic Television Networks, where he helped shape a distinct content-led television brand in India.
His earlier career included leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, where he served as managing director for Southern Europe in vision care and vice-president for Asia-Pacific, underscoring his cross-sector experience.
An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Samat’s career has been marked by a mix of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial ventures across markets including India, Singapore, the UK and Europe.
Reflecting on his journey, Samat emphasised that beyond titles and milestones, it was the people and relationships that defined his career. As he signs off, his exit marks the close of a long and varied innings in India’s corporate and media landscape.
