UNESCO recognizes Italian cuisine as intangible cultural heritage

Italy’s national cuisine has been officially recognized by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage,” a formal acknowledgment of a culinary tradition handed down through generations. The distinction, announced on December 10, is expected to boost tourism while celebrating Italy’s rich gastronomic culture.

The decision followed a vote by a UNESCO panel convening in New Delhi for the 20th Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) session, held at the historic 17th-century Red Fort. Italy’s bid, launched in 2023, highlighted the nation’s culinary culture as a social ritual that unites families and communities, extending far beyond globally renowned staples such as pizza, pasta, and risotto, Reuters reports.

In its submission, the Italian government emphasized the regional diversity of the country’s cuisine—from Lombardy’s ossobuco (braised veal shanks with gremolata) to Puglia’s orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with turnip greens)—as a reflection of Italy’s cultural mosaic.

“This is a distinction that can only make us proud,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement. “It gives us a powerful tool to further enhance our products and protect them more effectively from imitations and unfair competition.”

Industry analysts predict that the UNESCO recognition could increase tourism by up to 8% over the next two years, translating to approximately 18 million additional overnight stays.

Italy’s culinary tradition now joins a global menu of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage, including French haute cuisine centered on festive Sundays, Mexican meals honoring religious rites of ethnic minorities, Korea’s kimchi fermentation techniques, and Japan’s Washoku cuisine.

By Vafa Guliyeva