131. Hot Spot: Bolun & Linette Yao of NYC's YINGTAO

What does it mean to "dare to imagine new possibilities for Chinese cuisine"? For Bolun and Linette Yao, the husband-and-wife duo behind Yingtao in Hell's Kitchen, it means rewriting the story of what Chinese fine dining can be and doing it on their own terms.   In this episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with the Yaos to talk about the vision, the challenges, and the triumphs of building New York City's only contemporary Chinese Michelin-starred restaurant. Named after Bolun's grandmother, Yingtao is as much about family and memory as it is about innovation and modernity.   Highlights include: • The grandmother who inspired Yingtao and continues to shape its spirit • Why the Yaos see Yingtao as more than a restaurant, but a brand and a movement • How their backgrounds across China, New Zealand, Singapore, California, and New York influence their approach to food and hospitality • What it takes to build a Michelin-starred restaurant as a young couple in New York City • Why they believe Chinese cuisine is entering a new era, alongside global innovators like Chef Andrew Wong in London   This is a conversation about legacy, ambition, and cultural storytelling. It is about honoring tradition while reimagining what is possible.   🎧 Listen, follow, and subscribe to On The Pass on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch the full episode on YouTube.   Learn more about YINGTAO:  https://bit.ly/3UNnsT6     Follow Bolun Yao on Instagram: https://bit.ly/41riuiy     Follow On The Pass on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3Kvgm1n     Subscribe to On The Pass on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4hajZq8     Watch On The Pass Original: RARE, A Chef's Story: https://bit.ly/3NKDU2N     Follow our Host, Gabriel Ornelas: http://bit.ly/3YS964b     Learn more about On The Pass: https://bit.ly/44rEOsR     Lets work together! Get in contact: https://www.onthepass.com