Eating, cooking, travelling, writing, engaging in competitive sports and creating video content—Erwan Heussaff has done a stellar job of professionalising his hobbies. After creating content online for ten years, he built a pioneering food- and culture-focused digital video media company in the Philippines, FEATR. The media company, which has millions of followers online, produces shows and documentaries on diverse subjects, including the state of saltmaking in the Philippines, cultural cooking in the Cordilleras and features on people and chefs.

Heussaff’s production studio, The Fat Kid Inside Studios, which creates all the videos for FEATR, also strategises and produces content with top brands and TV networks, such as GrabFood, the Department of Tourism and Discovery Networks. His mission has been to spotlight his country and Filipino food and history. “The power of the Philippines is with our people,” Heusaff said. “We are everywhere and are so passionate. We must learn to appreciate all the dishes from every region of the Philippines.”

Heussaff won a James Beard Award in 2023 under the Social Media Account category through his work. “Anywhere you go in the world, you’ll meet Filipinos, especially in the food and beverage industry,” he said during the awards. “Everyone says it’s the next big thing, and I’m obsessed with figuring out how to make [Filipino food] just a big thing.” Heussaff is also involved in F&B and tech projects like the meat import and distribution company Bolzico Beef with his brother-in-law Nico Bolzico.