Hooray! UNESCO recognizes Italian cuisine as intangible cultural heritage
Italian cuisine has received the international recognition it deserves! UNESCO, the cultural organization of the United Nations, has officially recognized Italy’s national cuisine today (10 December 2025) as intangible cultural heritage. This is a formal recognition of a culinary tradition passed down from generation to generation, and it is a step that Italy hopes to use both to protect its culture and give tourism a boost.
What does this UNESCO recognition mean for Italy?
The decision was made by a UNESCO panel, which recently gathered in New Delhi. This recognition is the result of a process Italy began in 2023, through which it aims to protect the country’s unique culinary culture. The Italian government considers the national cuisine a social ritual, something that brings families and communities together. It is about much more than just pizza, pasta and risotto, although these naturally cannot be missing from the world-famous Italian cuisine.
During the 20th session of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), which took place at the 17th-century Red Fort in New Delhi, Italian cuisine was added to the UNESCO list, alongside other traditions such as the Hindu festival Diwali.
What makes Italian cuisine so special?
Uh, hello, what doesn’t?! Truffles from Umbria, olive oil from Tuscany, wines from Piedmont… and we could go on for quite a while. In the Italian government’s statement, the culinary heritage was presented as a microcosm of different cultures. From ossobuco from Lombardy to orecchiette con cime di rapa from Puglia, Italian cuisine is a melting pot of regional dishes that reflects the diversity of the country. It is a cuisine that is not only about flavor, but also about connection, tradition and social cohesion.
“This recognition only makes us prouder,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement. “It gives us a powerful tool to further improve our products and better protect them against counterfeiting and unfair competition.”
This recognition also helps strengthen appreciation for Italian culinary arts, especially among younger generations who may be less familiar with the value of their culinary heritage. It enables Italy to further develop and share both its traditional dishes and innovation in gastronomy with the rest of the world.
Tourism and the economy in Italy
UNESCO’s recognition of Italian cuisine is being celebrated not only as a cultural success, but also as a strategic move for tourism. Estimates from industry experts suggest that this recognition could increase tourism in Italy by as much as 8% over the next two years, amounting to 18 million additional overnight stays. This means a huge economic boost for the country, especially in the hospitality sector.
Italian cuisine on the world stage
With this UNESCO recognition, Italian cuisine is being added to a prestigious list of world cuisines considered cultural heritage. It is an honor that has also been awarded to other icons of global cuisine, such as French haute cuisine, Mexican cuisine, Korean kimchi fermentation techniques and traditional Japanese cuisine (Washoku).
So, are you going on vacation to Italy soon to enjoy all this delicious food? We’ll immediately point you towards what not to do in Italy (and what you’ll probably do anyway)…
Read also:
Source: Reuters
