Melanie Lai

Melanie Lai was born in Hong Kong and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is inspired by culinary traditions around the world and especially fascinated with flavors developed with time and age-old techniques — think anchovies, kimchi, Jamon Iberico, fish sauce, fermented bean curd, shrimp paste, miso, and more. Some call it stinky, she calls it umami and delicious. Her absolute favorite food is fresh sea urchin. It’s sweet, briny, creamy, and packed with flavors of the ocean (the good kind). Outside of work, you will find her walking the farmer’s market, picking up a fresh catch off the harbor, and experimenting with new recipes. I also enjoy hiking, wheel throwing, and caring for my vast collection of houseplants.