UNESCO has officially added Italian cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The decision, unanimously approved in New Delhi, celebrates not just the recipes but the entire cultural practice surrounding Italian cooking—sharing meals, everyday kitchen rituals, respect for ingredients, and passing culinary knowledge across generations.
For UNESCO, Italian cuisine represents a way to build connections, preserve history, and strengthen community bonds. The candidacy was supported by a detailed dossier prepared through the efforts of institutions, publications, and associations committed to protecting and promoting Italy’s gastronomic traditions.
This recognition reinforces Italy’s leading role in food-related heritage and highlights how central the dining table is to the nation’s cultural identity.
