Jing Gao wants to get you to elevate your meals by expanding your palate. Born in Sichuan, China, the chef and entrepreneur is on a mission to bring authentic Chinese flavors to your table with her company, Fly By Jing, which is sold in Whole Foods Market stores across the country. The company carries a line of versatile chili sauces and seasonings that are used in gastronomy And The New York Times and appeared in the popular YouTube show HotGao recently published her new book, The book “Sichuan Chili Crisp”: Spicy recipes and stories from Fly By Jing’s kitchenin which she shares 85 recipes using Fly By Jing’s spicy chili crisp for everything from cocktails to desserts. Gao’s ultimate goal? To bridge cultural differences and spark conversations with a tool that everyone can appreciate: flavor.
I always start my day with …
a hot cup of tea and a meditation session.
A professional experience that changed my life was…
Founding Fly By Jing. It bridged the gap between my love for my roots and my entrepreneurial spirit.
My mantra is …
“Not traditional, but personal.”
My greatest source of inspiration …
comes from traveling to China, my team at Fly By Jing, and a close-knit group of young Asian entrepreneurs from various industries.
My favorite food is …
a comforting bowl of mapo tofu. For me, mapo tofu is one of those “last meals” that I could eat every day without ever feeling sick.
One thing that is difficult for me but that I enjoy is…
the challenges of presenting authentic Chinese flavors to a global audience. It’s certainly tough, but incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by people who believe in the same mission.
I deal with negativity by…
I focus on the bigger picture. I always remind myself that we are on a journey to evolve culture through taste, and that journey, while rewarding, is not easy.
The biggest risk I ever took was…
to start my own business, especially in an industry where there is a lot of prejudice against Chinese food.
If I could recommend one thing, it would be…
Enhance every meal with Fly By Jing sauces and stay true to yourself.
The most surprising thing about me is…
that I wasn’t always so confident about my identity and my voice. It took time, exploration and self-discovery to truly embrace myself and share it with others.
When I need an energy boost…
I do breathwork. (It’s free.)
I want to be known for …
We are changing the image of Chinese cuisine and introducing the world to its true depth and diversity.
In 10 years I hope…
Fly By Jing products can be found in every household and are as ubiquitous as Heinz ketchup.
I define success as …
to have a meaningful impact and leave a legacy that goes beyond me. If our stories and flavors of Sichuan continue to be celebrated, that is a success.
This article originally appeared in September/October 2024 issue of SUCCESS magazine. Photo courtesy of Jing Gao.
