40, Chef
Why She’s Interesting: Started as a pop-up in 2021, Abundance Culinary, now permanent in a former diner car in Cleveland Heights, is one of Cleveland's most exciting new restaurants.
Connection: Raised by her grandparents in Qufu, Shandong, China, Fang met Northeast Ohioan Carl Setzer at an industry-focused college in Hubei. After, they stayed connected on Facebook, now banned in China. "Back then, you poked people."
Up North: Growing up in Northern China, the corridor to the Silk Road, Fang experienced Muslim cuisine, Shanxi's noodles, Chongqing's numbing peppercorn, Hubei's pickling and more. "It opened up my world."
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Deep Down: Her first job made her only the second woman to enter China's dangerous mines, subverting a cultural superstition. She cut her hair to pass as a man. "Coal would fall on my helmet. It was a nightmare." Yet, the job let her travel and try new foods.
First sip: Fang and Setzer started Great Leap Brewing, the first craft brewery in Beijing and the second in the country. "Nobody even knew what a craft beer was."
Busy hands: During COVID, a pregnant Fang expected a short stint in the U.S. for medical care until Setzer, on business, was detained by the Chinese government. "Making buns and dumplings was very therapeutic."
Pushing forward: Abundance is a modern Chinese experience unlike any other in town — or beyond. "My grandpa, the chefs I worked with did not make food like I make. In a way, being able to make the food that they wanted to make if they had the resources that we have in Northeast Ohio is an extension of their dream."
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