TV chef Martin Yan of Los Angeles was presented the Lifetime achievement Award at the Fifth Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA show Sunday, Jan. 5, in Las Vegas. The award recognizes outstanding individuals in the Chinese restaurant industry whose pioneering spirit and demonstrated inventiveness throughout their careers has improved the restaurant industry and inspired others.

"Chef Martin Yan is an icon within the Chinese restaurant industry because he paved the way for so many Chinese chefs and restaurateurs by introducing Chinese cuisine to mainstream America," said Betty Xie, editor-in-chief of Chinese Restaurant News, which presented the award."To be recognized by such a distinguished panel is indeed a great honor," said Yan. "I just don't know about the 'lifetime' part. Does this mean I have to retire now? Or maybe this will inspire me to work even harder, to get a head start on the next lifetime award."

In 1978, Yan pioneered the now infamous "Yan Can Cook" television cooking show, which now airs internationally in over 50 countries. A celebrated cooking show host, restaurateur, food consultant, cooking instructor, prolific author, and an American Culinary Federation certified Master Chef, Yan is the first recipient of the award from the magazine. The top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Award Show is a national event which aims to present the very best of Chinese cuisine as a part of America's daily dining scene. The competition is open to all Chinese restaurants in the United States.