MUMBAI: Some recipes call for more than just salt and spice, they need a pinch of purpose. As part of its 25-year celebration, Fortune Foods served up a piping hot opportunity with its first-ever Fortune Influencer Masterclass, aimed at turning everyday food lovers into full-blown digital culinary creators.
Launched on 10 February 2025, the campaign received an overwhelming 50,000 plus registrations from across India, ultimately narrowing the field to 25 winners who were recently felicitated in a lively Meet & Greet in Ahmedabad. Each winner took home content collaboration deals worth up to Rs 2 lakh, but the real prize was the transformation of passion into profession.
Backed by industry heavyweights like Meghna Kamdar (Forbes Top 100 Digital Star), Vinayak Grover of Lost and Hungry Studios, and Nimisha Rao from Influencer.in, the initiative was more than a class, it was a crash course in digital storytelling. With modules on scripting, plating, video editing, animation, and content strategy, the program mentored aspiring influencers in every dimension of online food content creation.
From a pool of 250 semi-finalists, selected after an initial assignment round, the top 25 were chosen following a multi-stage process judged by Masterchef winners and industry experts. Criteria ranged from recipe innovation and aesthetic appeal to editing finesse and storytelling strength.
The finale in Ahmedabad was a feast for the senses. It featured a special plating demo by Meghna Kamdar, games, and a fireside chat titled ‘The Ingredients of a Great Food Content Creator’, with insights from Mukesh Mishra, joint president at AWL Agri Business Limited, Sunil Chawla, co-founder of Social Beat, and Kamdar herself.
Mukesh Mishra explained the vision behind the campaign, “This wasn’t just about product placement. It was about placing belief in people especially homemakers and food enthusiasts who had creativity but lacked digital confidence. We’ve seen these creators bloom, and we’re thrilled to champion their voices.”
One such voice was Harshika Lalwani from Kanpur, whose journey resonated with many: “As a homemaker, I had quietly shelved my passions for years. This campaign gave me visibility, value, and most importantly my own voice. When I made it to the Top 25, I felt seen for who I am, not just the roles I play.”
The Fortune Influencer Masterclass is more than a marketing campaign, it’s a movement that’s helping shape India’s digital creator economy. It’s where food meets fame, where community meets creativity, and where Fortune truly favours the bold.