by InTrieste
Italian cuisine has been officially recognized as part of the world’s cultural heritage, the United Nations’ cultural agency announced on Wednesday during its assembly in New Delhi.
The decision crowns a bid launched in 2023 by Italy’s ministries of culture and agriculture and follows a preliminary approval issued by UNESCO last month. With the inscription, Italy becomes the first nation to see its cuisine acknowledged in its entirety, rather than through a single dish or regional tradition.
The application emphasized the deep connection between Italian food, cultural identity and daily life, describing cuisine as a social practice that brings together families and communities. In its ruling, UNESCO called Italian cuisine a “cultural and social blend of culinary traditions,” and “a way of caring for oneself and others, expressing love and rediscovering one’s cultural roots.” The agency added that it offers communities “an outlet to share their history and describe the world around them,” noting that it is a communal activity rooted in respect for ingredients and shared time at the table.
According to UNESCO, participation spans generations, with recipes, stories and techniques frequently passed from grandparents to grandchildren.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the announcement in a video posted on X, saying the recognition “fills us with pride.” She added that Italian cuisine “is not just food or a collection of recipes” but a reflection of culture, tradition and economic vitality.
Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s agriculture minister, said the inscription “celebrates the strength of our culture,” calling the achievement a collective one that reflects “our roots, our creativity and our ability to transform tradition into reality.”
Italy bolstered its campaign earlier this year with a public lunch held at the Roman Forum, attended by Ms. Meloni, Mr. Lollobrigida and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli. Appearing via live broadcast during the event, Ms. Meloni praised Italian cuisine as an expression of national identity and heritage.
Tourism industry groups expect the designation to provide a boost in visitor numbers, noting that destinations associated with UNESCO-recognized food traditions tend to draw heightened interest from travelers.
Italy now has 21 traditions listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage roster. Nine are linked to the agri-food sector, including truffle hunting and the art of the Neapolitan “pizzaiuolo,” or pizza maker.
