Italian Cuisine Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Italian cuisine has been officially recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking the first time an entire national cuisine, rather than individual dishes, has received this honour. Approved during UNESCO’s 20th Intergovernmental Committee session in New Delhi, the recognition highlights everyday food practices, sustainability, and intergenerational culinary knowledge. It celebrates Italy’s collective culinary traditions, from family meals and local rituals to preservation methods, while supporting authenticity, rural economies, and the global cultural legacy of Italian food.