TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Italy is one step closer to having several of its beloved culinary traditions recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Four Italian food practices have received preliminary approval from UNESCO’s technical committee, marking significant progress in a nomination jointly submitted by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The proposal highlights how deeply Italian cuisine, from handmade pasta to regional specialties, is woven into global cultural identity.
What Has Been Approved So Far?
UNESCO’s technical experts have recommended Italy’s nominations after reviewing extensive documentation on each culinary tradition. Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, welcomed the positive step.
“It’s amazing to see the enormous interest in the recognition of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO heritage site,” he said, as quoted by Euronews.
However, he urged the public to remain patient. The recommendations are not the final decision, and official approval will come only after UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee meets in December.
“We have nominated a great tradition, something that distinguishes us, but we have not yet crossed this great and well-deserved finishing line,” he cautioned.
Why the Decision Isn’t Final Yet
Pier Luigi Petrillo, the expert who led the preparation of Italy’s application, called the submitted documents strong and comprehensive. But he echoed the minister’s warning.
“This first ‘yes’ should not create illusions because the Intergovernmental Committee that will meet in India in December has the possibility of completely reviewing the decision,” said Petrillo, who also teaches at Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome.
The final verdict will be announced at the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi, scheduled for December 8-13, 2025.
Italy’s Existing UNESCO Culinary and Cultural Heritage
If approved, the new entry would add to Italy’s growing list of intangible cultural heritage elements already recognized by UNESCO, including:
The Art of Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo (2017)
Murano Glass Art (2020)
Opera Singing Practices (2023)
Bellringing Traditions (2024)
These listings represent cultural knowledge and traditions that communities pass down through generations, and Italy’s culinary practices are seen as equally important.
The global prestige of Italian food was reaffirmed this year when Italy was named the Best Culinary Destination at the World Culinary Awards 2025.
From iconic staples like pizza, pasta, and gelato to the refined simplicity of its ingredients, Italian cuisine is celebrated worldwide. Each region adds its own flair: the hearty meat dishes of Tuscany, the seafood-rich recipes of Sicily, and the Alpine specialties of northern Italy.
A growing trend is the rise of Italy’s “food valleys,” where visitors can explore local products at their source. Travelers can sample Parma’s famed prosciutto, taste arancini in Palermo, or savor traditional cheeses in Emilia-Romagna.
Putri Az zahra Suherman contributed to the writing of this article.
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