My legal name is Ning King but I go by Amelie. I’m from Beijing, China and I’m 28.
I’m the CEO and Co-Founder of Mala Project. I actually went to the Culinary Institute of America and studied culinary arts management. We were cooking for two years, trained to be professional chefs. The last year we studied the management side of business. After we graduated this just became a natural path.
I knew I loved food so I wanted to do something with food. When I applied to the CIA I actually did want to be a chef. Only when I began studying management did I know that’s actually what I wanted to do.
I liked the ability to see the whole scale of the restaurant. When you’re in the kitchen you’re tied to the kitchen. I wanted to do something that allowed me to do everything.
I grew up with my grandparents because my parents were always working. My grandma used to cook, so I would look forward to dinner every night at 5:30. It was always 5:30. So I was pretty shocked when I came here and found out nobody eats before 7.
My grandma was a really wonderful cook, she explored a lot of dishes. She’s from the north, my hometown is Tangshan.
Every time you have a problem or you have to face something, you actually have to face it. If you see something that has to be done, you do it there and you do it then.
Word Association
Coffee | Milk
Sneakers | Bars
Shots | Tequila
Munchies | Media
Chicken | Dance
Work | College
Self Care | Mask
Song | Jay Chou
Flirt | Pass
Philosophy | Values
Home | Sick