Italian cuisine has been designated a Special Cultural Heritage by the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO.
Pizza and other national favorites are already on UNESCO’s list of ‘intangible cultural heritage’, but now Italian culinary traditions and the way they are practiced and passed down have been recognized.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has called for recognition of her country’s cuisine since being elected, said, “For us Italians, cuisine is not just a collection of foods or recipes. It is more than that. It is culture, tradition, work and wealth.”
For millions of fans, this news confirms what they already believed – from Cannoli in Sicily to Calabrian ‘Nduja, Italian is the best.
The announcement was made at the UNESCO General Assembly held in the Indian capital Delhi on Wednesday.
The cultural agency described Italian cuisine as “a means of connecting with family and community through home, school, festivals, events and social gatherings.”
Koshary, a spicy dish made from lentils, rice and pasta, was also added to the list of intangible cultural heritage.
Other countries also have “practices, technologies, traditions and social practices associated with foodways” recognized by UNESCO, a UNESCO spokesperson told the BBC.
Previous examples include “Japan’s traditional food culture, Washoku, especially the culture that celebrates the New Year; Malaysia’s breakfast culture: dining experiences in a multi-ethnic society; and French gourmet dining.”
In an interview with Rome-based daily La Repubblica, chef Michelangelo Mammoliti said the news filled him with great pride as an Italian, both personally and professionally as a chef.
“Italy is one of those countries where local cuisine has a very strong influence on culture and traditions.” “It’s great,” says the chef, whose La Rei Natura restaurant in Piedmont has become the only new three-star restaurant in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
Italian industry leaders and government ministers hope the move will boost tourism in the country, which already welcomes 80 million international visitors each year.
Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO of Filiera Italia, which represents all food and wine companies in the production chain, told Ansa news agency that the move from UNESCO represents a success “for the entire Made in Italy supply chain.”
Mr. Scordamaglia also spoke about the role of the Mediterranean diet in promoting health.
“When we talk about the Mediterranean diet, we are talking about great Italian cuisine, which above all shares the principles of balance and variety,” he added.
Iceland’s swimming pool culture; Cuban Son music and dance practice; Albania’s art of playing, singing and making lahuta has also been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
