Italian Cuisine Earns UNESCO Status: A Historic 2025 Recognition of Italy’s Culinary Heritage

On December 10, 2025, during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi, India, UNESCO formally inscribed “Italian cooking, between sustainability and biocultural diversity” on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This officially recognizes Italian culinary traditions as a dynamic cultural practice that shapes community life across generations, celebrating not only recipes but also the social and cultural practices surrounding food.

What “Italian Cooking” Means to UNESCO

According to UNESCO’s official description, the inscription recognizes Italian cooking as a living cultural practice and social activity with several defining characteristics:

A Cultural and Social Blend

Italian cooking reflects a rich diversity of regional culinary traditions across the entire country, encompassing local knowledge, food rituals, cooking techniques, and the shared experience of meals.

A Communal Practice

Cooking and eating in Italy are deeply social activities that foster connection, hospitality, family bonds, and community life. Shared moments around the table — at home, in schools, markets, and festivals — are integral to the tradition.

A Biocultural Tradition

The UNESCO nomination emphasizes respect for seasonality, local raw materials, and sustainable practices, including anti-waste approaches and creative use of ingredients.

A Living Heritage

Knowledge, skills, and food-related memories are transmitted intergenerationally, both informally within families and formally in educational settings. This ongoing cultural transmission helps reinforce identity and community belonging. Importantly, UNESCO’s recognition focuses on the cultural practices and rituals surrounding cooking, food preparation, and shared meals, not just famous dishes.

How the Nomination Was Achieved?

The successful inscription was the result of a long, coordinated effort led by Italian cultural institutions and supported by the Italian government:

The nomination was officially presented as “Italian cooking, between sustainability and biocultural diversity.”
The process included collaboration among communities and organizations such as Fondazione Casa Artusi, Accademia Italiana della Cucina, and the magazine La Cucina Italiana.
The campaign was coordinated by the UNESCO Office of Italy’s Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with practitioners, cultural associations, educational entities, and experts to present Italian cooking as a complex cultural system rooted in tradition and interconnected social values.

Why This Recognition Matters

Cultural and Social Significance

UNESCO’s inscription acknowledges that Italian cooking is:

An expression of collective identity and shared memory.
A source of social cohesion and community practice.
A tradition where knowledge and cultural norms are passed across generations through everyday and ceremonial acts.

This recognition highlights that Italian cuisine is not merely culinary, it is a living cultural practice embedded in daily life, social rituals, and family traditions.

Economic and Tourism Impact

While UNESCO itself does not mandate economic policies, major news coverage following the listing has noted that:

The listing can further boost food-focused tourism in Italy as travelers seek authentic culinary experiences.
The visibility may support small producers, artisans, and local food markets.
The recognition adds value to Italy’s gastronomic image worldwide.

Sustainability and Innovation

UNESCO’s description underscores the environmental and cultural significance of Italian cooking in terms of:

Respect for seasonal ingredients and biodiversity.
Use of regional products and sustainable food practices.
Creative, anti-waste culinary techniques that reuse ingredients and respect resources.

This framing aligns with UNESCO’s goals of safeguarding traditions that support cultural diversity and sustainable community practices.

What This Means for Travelers

Travelers and food lovers can now engage with Italian culinary heritage in deeper ways:

Seek authentic regional experiences and workshops on local food preparation.
Visit local markets, agriturismi, and community meals that reflect age-old traditions.
Appreciate Italian cuisine as a cultural landscape of practices, rituals, and shared community life, not just as isolated dishes.

Italy’s Growing UNESCO Cultural Heritage Portfolio

With this inscription, Italy continues to expand its representation on UNESCO’s lists. According to official records, Italy has 21 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, now including Italian cooking among them.