Pasta, pizza, risotto, and more could soon win over not just palates but also the United Nations: Italy has officially nominated its entire cuisine for the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. A decision is expected in December 2025. A technical assessment that will set the course is scheduled for release on November 10.
From Pizza to a Culinary Mosaic
The nomination was submitted in March 2023 by the Ministries of Culture and Agriculture. The Italian Ministry of Culture officially confirmed the candidacy. It is supported by renowned chefs such as Massimo Bottura, Carlo Cracco, Niko Romito, and Antonia Klugmann. A central role is played by the storied magazine La Cucina Italiana, which has been accompanying the country's culinary culture since 1929.
Under editor-in-chief Maddalena Fossati Dondero , the magazine launched a major campaign in 2020 in support of the UNESCO nomination. Together with top chefs, it published manifestos, organized public events, and released special editions to demonstrate that Italian cuisine represents a cultural heritage that goes far beyond individual recipes.
To date, Italy has successfully secured protection for specific culinary traditions, including the Mediterranean Diet (2010) and Neapolitan pizza-making (2017). Should the cuisine as a whole now receive recognition, it would be a world first: no entire national food culture has ever been placed on the UNESCO list.
Economic and Cultural Significance
Particular emphasis is placed on the everyday nature of the food. The application states that Italian cuisine is "a series of social practices, rituals, and gestures rooted in diverse local knowledge that shape and define it without hierarchies ." This underscores that the focus is not on haute cuisine but on the daily togetherness of families and communities.
The recognition would also send a strong economic signal. Italy's food and hospitality sector is among Europe's largest export industries. A UNESCO designation could further boost demand for authentic products while also helping to curb imitations and counterfeits in global markets.
A Decision Follows in December
The road ahead is clearly mapped out: The UNESCO committee will make a final decision on the candidacy in December 2025. Should the outcome be positive, Italy would not only strengthen its cultural identity but also write a piece of culinary world history , rolling pin, wood-fired oven, and plenty of passion in hand. Fingers firmly crossed!
UPDATE, December 10, 2025:It's official! Italian cuisine is now a UNESCO Cultural Heritage