New Delhi: Italian cuisine has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s first entire national gastronomy inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible
Cultural Heritage list on 10 December 2025, celebrated as a “gesture of love” that binds families and communities through rituals of sustainability and biocultural diversity. This recognition, announced in New Delhi, highlights Italian cooking’s role in preserving traditions passed down through generations, from artisanal techniques to fresh, local ingredients that define its global appeal.
As UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage status elevates Italy’s culinary legacy alongside Neapolitan pizza-making, it promises to boost tourism and safeguard authentic products against imitations. Food enthusiasts worldwide now view Italian cuisine UNESCO heritage as a testament to its cultural depth, sparking conversations on how everyday meals embody identity, work, and wealth.
What makes Italian cuisine UNESCO-list-worthy? Dive into this read to uncover Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proud reaction, explore eight iconic dishes, and ponder how these timeless flavours could inspire your next kitchen adventure—share your favourite in the comments below!
Italy’s cuisine joins UNESCO’s cultural heritage list
UNESCO’s committee in New Delhi inscribed Italian cuisine on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list on 10 December 2025, marking the first time an entire national gastronomy earned this honour for its social practices uniting families and communities. The decision underscores Italian cooking’s emphasis on sustainability, biocultural diversity, and generational knowledge-sharing through raw materials and artisanal methods.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the accolade, stating it “can only make us proud” as cuisine serves as Italy’s “most formidable ambassador,” promoting products while combating unfair competition. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida echoed the excitement, noting the nomination’s role in distinguishing Italy’s great tradition, with final approval fulfilling years of effort since 2023.
Iconic Italian dishes to try this year
1. Pizza Margherita
Originating from Naples, this UNESCO-recognised classic features a thin, crispy base topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, symbolising Italy’s flag colours and simplicity in celebrating local ingredients.
2. Pasta Carbonara
A Roman staple using eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale, and black pepper—no cream involved—creamy yet rustic, it embodies post-WWII ingenuity and Rome’s hearty street food heritage.
3. Lasagna
Layered sheets of pasta with ragù Bolognese meat sauce, béchamel, and Parmesan, baked to perfection; this Emilia-Romagna dish represents festive family gatherings and meticulous regional layering techniques.
4. Risotto alla Milanese
Creamy Arborio rice infused with saffron, butter, and Parmesan from Lombardy, stirred patiently for a velvety texture—its golden hue reflects Milan’s opulent history tied to cathedral construction.
5. Osso Buco
Milanese veal shanks braised in white wine, gremolata, and broth until fork-tender, paired with saffron risotto; this dish showcases slow-cooking traditions and northern Italy’s love for marrow-rich comforts.
6. Caprese Salad
Sliced buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil from Capri, drizzled simply—it’s fresh, no-cook assembly captures Mediterranean island purity and seasonal biocultural harmony.
7. Tiramisù
Veneto’s “pick-me-up” layers coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa; a modern 1960s invention blending indulgence with espresso culture, now a global dessert icon.
8. Gelato
Artisanal ice cream denser than regular varieties, crafted with milk, sugar, and bold flavours like pistachio or stracciatella—its creamy texture stems from Italian gelateria’s ancient freezing techniques.
This UNESCO nod cements Italian cuisine’s enduring legacy—try recreating these dishes at home and tag your versions to join the global conversation on cultural heritage gastronomy!
