Italian Cuisine Is Now UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
A historic recognition that comes with real responsibility
On December 10, 2025, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee unanimously approved the inscription of Italian Cuisine on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This recognition is not about famous dishes, iconic products, or commercial success. It acknowledges Italian cuisine as a living cultural system—rooted in territory, seasonality, biodiversity, human labor, and the transmission of knowledge across generations.
For the first time, a national cuisine has been recognized in its entire cultural dimension. This is a historic milestone.
Beyond food: a cultural system
UNESCO did not reward popularity.
It recognized a model.
Italian cuisine was acknowledged for what it truly represents:
a shared social practice centered around the meal
knowledge passed down through families, communities, and professions
a deep connection between cooking, agriculture, and landscape
a cultural framework where food is identity, not entertainment
In this context, Italian cuisine enters the UNESCO list not as a brand or a trend, but as human heritage.
What this means for Italian chefs abroad
For Italian chefs working in North America, this recognition is not symbolic, it is tangible.
Cooking Italian cuisine outside of Italy now means:
representing a globally recognized cultural heritage
accepting professional and cultural responsibility
distinguishing authenticity from imitation
resisting simplification, shortcuts, and “Italian-sounding” practices
Italian cuisine is not defined by replication. It is defined by understanding.
APCI North America has long worked in this direction: promoting education, technical competence, cultural awareness, and respect for origins.
A recognition that raises the bar
There is a real risk in turning UNESCO recognition into marketing language.
That would empty it of meaning.
This designation:
does not legitimize shortcuts
does not automatically make everything “authentic”
does not lower standards
It does the opposite.
It raises expectations for anyone who claims to cook Italian.
The responsibility going forward
A cultural heritage endures only when it is practiced with knowledge, rigor, and respect. For Italian culinary professionals in North America, this recognition calls for continuous education and training, a deeper cultural connection to Italian culinary roots, stronger professional collaboration and community building, and responsible, informed communication of Italian cuisine to the public. Italian cuisine is now officially recognized as part of humanity’s heritage; it is up to those who practice it to demonstrate, every day, that this recognition is truly deserved.
APCI North America wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to Minister Alessandro Giuli and Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, as well as to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for their leadership, vision and tireless support in guiding the UNESCO candidacy that has led to this historic recognition.
Their commitment, and the efforts of the institutions they represent, have affirmed that Italian cuisine deserves to be celebrated as a global cultural heritage.
I ♥️ LOVE ITALIAN CUISINE
