Wen Tao Lu graduated at the head of his class at the Sichuan Culinary Academy - the top culinary institution in China in 1988.  After graduation, Lu's culinary skills were recognized and he was made a National Professional Chef Examiner in China. He held this position for six years.

In 1993 Lu won the Chinese National Culinary Award for Food Carving.  He received the highest ranking of Master Chef by the Chinese Government in 1998.

Lu has a talent in the culinary arts as well as teaching people the culinary skills. He worked as a head chef and a chef instructor for more than a decade in the Chengdu Grand Hotel, a five star establishment. During these times, Lu pioneered the chef program for the hotel and trained his students and all new hired chefs in all aspects of culinary arts. On occasion, the Chengdu Grand Hotel would cater a banquet for 2,000 guests. Lu was able to handle this challenge while maintaining quality, consistency, and efficient presentation of the food.

In the winter of 2000, Lu accepted a position as head chef in the Ming Dynasty Chinese Restaurant in Santa Barbara, California. From there, Lu's dream of owning his own restaurant was one step closer. In 2005 Lu and his wife decided to explore the Raleigh area and decided to purchase the Red Palace Restaurant.

Since then Lu's culinary skills have impressed diners from all over the Triangle. Many diners who appreciate authentic Chinese cuisine dine at the Red Palace regularly. People in the Triangle now no longer need to travel to Chinatown, NYC to fulfill their hunger for delicious authentic Chinese foods.