The world of flavorful
street food met the world of mind-bending science in an extraordinary
collaboration between globally renowned YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark
Rober and India's favorite food and travel content platform, Curly Tales. As
part of his whirlwind tour across India, Mark Rober took a delicious detour
into the heart of Mumbai’s culinary scene with Curly Tales—an experience that
combined India’s beloved street snacks with surprising science facts,
storytelling, and cultural exchange.
This collaboration is
part of Mark Rober’s broader Indian visit, linked to the Jugaad Contest
2025—his latest initiative encouraging Indian inventors and innovators to
showcase their creativity using everyday items. As the face behind the viral
glitter bomb series, squirrel obstacle courses, and the CrunchLabs STEM
initiative, Rober’s influence goes far beyond entertainment. And now, India is
getting a front-row seat to that energy.
In a new episode hosted
by Curly Tales’ charismatic founder and face, Kamiya Jani, Mark embarked on a
flavorful journey through Mumbai’s most iconic street foods. From crispy
samosas to spicy pav bhaji, Rober tried it all, all while explaining scientific
principles behind cooking, flavor fusion, and even the physics of crunch. The
show didn’t just focus on taste but also touched on India’s unique concept of
“Jugaad”—a frugal, ingenious approach to problem-solving that aligns with
Rober’s mission of spreading STEM learning through practical, hands-on
experiences.
“This is my first time
eating a samosa and understanding why it's shaped like a triangle—it’s
engineering and flavor packed in one,” Rober remarked during the episode. “And
the level of creativity I’ve seen here is off the charts. India’s culture of
Jugaad might just be the most brilliant form of applied science I’ve ever
encountered.”
The Curly Tales team
designed the food trail to blend India’s local flavors with the ethos of
experimentation. As they moved from bustling stalls to hole-in-the-wall gems,
the conversations became richer—diving into Rober’s career at NASA, the origin
story of CrunchLabs, and his mission to ignite scientific curiosity in children
and adults alike.
Mark’s visit to India
isn’t just for content—it’s about connection. The Jugaad Contest 2025, which
runs from April 30 to September 15, invites inventors of all ages across India
to submit videos of their most clever innovations using household items.
Winners—ten in total—will receive ₹5 lakh each, and their work will be featured
on Mark’s platforms. The contest is open to individuals aged 8 and above, and
all entries must include the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad
and be submitted via markroberjugaad.com.
In this episode with
Curly Tales, Rober not only gave Indian cuisine his stamp of approval but also
used the moment to praise the spirit of India’s creators. “India is a country
of 1.4 billion problem-solvers. I’m here not just to taste the food but to meet
the minds that can build the next big thing—with whatever’s in their kitchen
drawer,” he said.
This is one of several
high-profile collaborations Rober has lined up during his stay. Already, he's
teamed up with CarryMinati, Slaypoint, and Techburner, while a special collab
with cricketer Hardik Pandya is also underway. However, the Curly Tales
partnership stands out for its intersection of food, fun, and function. By
exploring the streets of Mumbai, Rober gained more than a taste for Indian
cuisine—he connected with the soul of everyday innovation.
With over 68 million
subscribers on YouTube and millions more across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok,
and Twitter, Mark Rober’s influence is colossal. His partnership with Curly
Tales—boasting one of India’s strongest social media footprints in the food and
travel niche—is a powerful step toward building his presence in India. And
judging by the online buzz surrounding the episode’s teaser, this content is
set to spark a frenzy of views, shares, and inspired inventions.
In true Curly Tales
fashion, the episode wraps with a heartwarming exchange of culture, laughter,
and insight. “From samosas to STEM,” Kamiya says in the closing segment, “we’ve
realized that science tastes even better when it’s sprinkled with Indian
spice.”
For more details about
the Jugaad Contest 2025, visit https://www.markroberjugaad.com. To catch the full food journey, watch Curly Tales’
latest episode featuring Mark Rober on their YouTube channel and social
platforms.