Sustainability was the buzzword at this year's Michelin awards in Shanghai as Taian Table walked away with the city's only Michelin green star. This award was first introduced by the Michelin Guide last year to promote sustainable practices in the catering industry.

King's Joy, a vegetarian restaurant in Beijing, won the first green star on the Chinese mainland in November 2020.

According to the guide, Taian Table was conferred this new award because "they source from sustainable producers and minimize plastic use, food waste and energy consumption".

Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide's international director, said in a video screened at the Shanghai award ceremony: "By developing many inspiring initiatives, these restaurants are playing an important role in helping reduce the environmental impact of their menus while promoting the best of local products and encouraging other professionals or food lovers to move forward."

Helmed by German chef Stefan Stiller, Taian Table was also awarded three Michelin stars this year, an improvement from its two-star rating last year.