Italian cuisine has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking a major milestone for Italy and the global food community.

The recognition celebrates Italian cuisine not simply as a collection of iconic dishes, but as a living cultural tradition shaped by rituals, skills and knowledge passed down through generations. From respect for ingredients and seasonality to the craft of production, the joy of shared meals and the role food plays in bringing people together, the inscription acknowledges the deep cultural value embedded in Italian food culture.

Reacting to the announcement, Valentina Deli shared the following statement on LinkedIn: “Today is a milestone for Italy and for the global food community. UNESCO has officially inscribed Italian cuisine on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising it as a living cultural tradition. This honour celebrates far more than iconic dishes. It recognises the rituals, skills, and knowledge passed from generation to generation: the respect for ingredients and seasonality, the craft of making, the joy of gathering, and the role food plays in bringing people together. For us, it is a proud reminder of what we work to protect and share every day: authenticity, regional diversity, and the stories behind the table.”

For the speciality food sector, the announcement reinforces the importance of authenticity, regional diversity and provenance – values that sit at the heart of Italian food and drink. Italian producers continue to play a vital role in the global speciality market, with their emphasis on quality, tradition and storytelling resonating strongly with buyers and consumers alike.

Totuccio Castiglione, Founder and Managing Director of Cibosano, says: "Cibosano in the UK has always embodied the authenticity and genuineness of Italian producers and their products, now clearly expressing its meaning in Italian cuisine as UNESCO celebrates Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage marks a milestone that underscores the uniqueness, cultural depth, and exceptional quality of Italy’s food production system.

"Behind every product, whether it’s charcuterie, cheeses, pasta, tomatoes, or olive oil-there is a relentless pursuit of transformation, research, and quality control by an industry that embodies Italian excellence. These specialties demonstrate the fusion of ancient knowledge with ongoing innovation.

"A supply chain built by passionate professionals-from artisanal producers to the broader supply chain-enriches traditions and trains new generations of chefs and professionals worldwide, including in the UK.

"This UNESCO recognition honors not just a recipe or a single product, but the entire culinary heritage: a model of quality and respect for the territory; rooted in tradition and innovation. With this milestone, Italian cuisine affirms its status as universal, intangible heritage-an authentic symbol of Italian excellence to be protected, cherished, and we at Cibosano proudly share."

Nicola Woods, Event Manager for Speciality & Fine Food Fair, comments: “Italian cuisine is fundamental to the speciality food market. Its strength lies in its diversity, from regional cheeses and cured meats to oils, vinegars, pasta and preserves, all rooted in place, tradition and craftsmanship. At Speciality & Fine Food Fair, Italian producers are a cornerstone of the show, consistently attracting buyers who are looking for authenticity, provenance and products with a story. This UNESCO recognition underlines exactly why Italian food continues to be so influential and so important to our exhibitors and visitors.”

Commenting on the announcement, the Italian Trade Agency thanked those across the supply chain who contributed to this achievement, including farmers, entrepreneurs, importers, distributors, chefs, government bodies, training institutes and institutions. The Agency also highlighted the significance of UNESCO’s recognition of intangible heritage, paying tribute to Italian culture, traditions, customs and shared ways of life that underpin the country’s food identity.

Italian cuisine remains a defining presence at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, reflecting the Fair’s commitment to championing outstanding products, regional specialities and the people and cultures behind them.