Giada Zhang: From Identity Struggles to Culinary Leadership

Giada Zhang, a second-generation Chinese immigrant in Italy, transformed her cultural identity struggles into a strength, leading her family’s Mulan Group to become a prominent supplier of Asian ready-to-eat meals in Europe.

Her parents, who opened one of Cremona’s first Chinese restaurants in 1990, expanded their business by introducing Chinese food products to Italian supermarkets, which gained widespread popularity.

Today, Mulan Group’s offerings, including spring rolls and xiaolongbao dumplings, are sold in over 15,000 stores across Europe.

Zhang, who became CEO in 2018, combines traditional recipes with modern production techniques to bring authentic Asian cuisine to Italian homes.

Despite initial challenges reconciling her Chinese roots with Italian culture, her personal and professional experiences helped her embrace her bicultural identity as a strength, now guiding her leadership and commitment to blending cultural authenticity with innovation.

Source:

01.2025

Tatler

J.V.