Refers to the chef or chef specially appointed or entrusted by the royal family, nobles or senior officials to provide food for them.

In ancient China, this word was used to indicate that someone served the royal family exclusively and cooked dishes according to their tastes and requirements. Historically, imperial meals were related to the interior of the court. These chefs will undergo strict selection and training, and master various cooking skills and secret recipes to meet the food needs of the aristocratic class.