Gini Maya is a Melbourne-born chilli oil inspired by the bold warming flavours and cultural richness of Sri Lankan cooking. Founded by first-gen Australian Teruni Jayawickrama, the brand celebrates culture, connection and the joy of sharing good food through a pantry staple made to bring people together and, in Jayawickrama’s words, to “ignite a little fire magic”.
Give us the elevator pitch, Teruni: what makes your chilli oil different and/or special?
Our chilli oil is not trying to do what already exists; that’s what makes it unique and sometimes controversial. Gini Maya is infused with all the spices that I grew up eating, the spices you would find in a Sri Lankan meal – think mustard seeds, cinnamon, fennel seeds and cumin. Curry leaves take over the aroma and flavour profile, and the texture allows for a lot more versatility than you might usually get with a chilli oil.
Who are you and what are you all about?
I’m a big foodie with a dream to combine my love of food, passion for cooking, business and hospitality and an itch to do something more than my corporate nine to five. A lack of creative outlet and feeling stuck in my day-to-day a couple of years ago was what ignited the fire in me to bottle up and sell the chilli oil I had been recipe-testing for months. With the support of my mum, good friends and a network of wonderful like-minded business people within my community, I am on a path to building a brand and products that hope to give fellow foodies a sense of curiosity about Sri Lankan flavours, and celebrate heritage and community.
Explain like we’re five: how do you make it?
I quite literally make it all by hand, no machines involved… yet. I hand-chop all the aromatics for the oil (tears are shed every time), measure out all the spices and prepare all the jars myself. Chilli powder flavours and colours the oil while the aromatics and our unique spice blend add the punch of heat and taste. Curry leaves are added to the mix and while that simmers, I dispense the chilli and curry leaves into each individual jar. It’s a labour of love. My mum helps me clean each jar before I hand-label them and get them on your dining table.
“A jar full of fire and magic”, you say. How hot is it?
My most frequently asked question. As I say to people at markets, it has a kick but it won’t make you sweat. Unless you want it to, and in that case you can just eat more.
What excites you about this project?
It’s exciting to know that what I’m creating is impacting people more than I could have ever imagined. Even the people I have met so far, I could have never expected to get my product in the hands of so many I look to for inspiration. I know there is so much more I can do with the brand and the product range, which ignites a real sense of passion and excitement in me. Representing my heritage and putting that on a bigger stage is pretty awesome as well.
What are the perfect conditions to enjoy Gini Maya chilli oil?
With friends and drizzled on everything. Think of a roast dinner situation with everything drenched in our chilli oil, butter and lemon. Masego and Olivia Dean hum in the background. Candles flickering. As the sun comes out, it’s mixed in a concoction of Kewpie mayo and garlic, then slapped on two sides of fresh bread, charcuterie and salad from the farmers’ market. Wrapped up, packed and taken to the beach to enjoy alongside a can of something cold and fresh.
Is this here for a good time or a long time?
Maya (the woman in our logo) encourages a steady fiery existence in general, so we’ll be here for a long time. Stay tuned for a few projects we are working on to create more good times and island fire.
Where can I buy it?
Online through our website, which is also linked on our Instagram and TikTok. We are stocked in a select few gorgeous places around Melbourne that you can find the intel for on our website.
Buy Gini Maya chilli oil via ginimaya.com.au and follow along for more at @gini.maya.