Wednesday 10 December 2025 marks a historic date for Italy: Italian cuisine has officially become a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage and is the first in the world to be awarded this enormous recognition. After a long procedure that began in 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization confirmed the inclusion of the entire Italian gastronomic system in the list of world heritage sites. This recognition does not just reward individual dishes or ingredients, but celebrates the entire culture of food, made up of tradition, sharing and creativity.
A social ritual beyond taste
UNESCO’s decision underlines how cooking and sharing meals in Italy is much more than a simple food act: it is a social ritual, rooted in families and communities, which favors the intergenerational transmission of flavours, recipes and cultural values. From family lunch to meals with friends, Italian cuisine becomes a moment of sharing and strengthening bonds, capable of uniting people of all ages and backgrounds.
The recognition does not only concern the recipes, but also the relationship with the territory, agricultural traditions and local supply chains. Italy thus boasts a unique position on the world scene: no other country has seen its entire national gastronomic system enter the UNESCO List. This record confirms the importance of sustainable practices, attention to ingredients and the valorization of local communities, demonstrating how Italian food is a true living cultural heritage.
The valorization of regional excellences
UNESCO recognition strengthens the international role of regions such as Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Sicily and Piedmont, which emerge not only for iconic dishes such as Neapolitan pizza, Parmigiano Reggiano or cured meats, but also for their ability to pass on an entire cultural system based on food. Each territory thus contributes to creating a mosaic of gastronomic diversity that makes Italy a global model of excellence.
Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defined the recognition as a tribute to national identity, creativity and Italian tradition. UNESCO has certified that Italian cuisine promotes social inclusion, intergenerational education and sharing, as well as offering new economic and tourism opportunities, contributing to the protection of Made in Italy and the valorization of authentic products.
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