A restaurant in Beijing is preserving culinary traditions associated with China’s imperial court, from pastries once served to emperors to techniques passed down through generations of chefs. Imperial cuisine encompassed everyday meals and elaborate court banquets governed by rituals and hierarchy, while food also carried broader cultural, political and ceremonial meanings. Today, a handful of chefs are adapting centuries-old traditions to modern ingredients and tastes while seeking to preserve their history, craftsmanship and cultural legacy.