Italian Cuisine and UNESCO have finally come together. This is a behind-the-scenes account from an Italian insider, tracing the journey that began at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Italian Cuisine’s Path to UNESCO Recognition Italian Cuisine and UNESCO have finally come together. This milestone marks a significant achievement for Italian culinary heritage. A Behind-the-Scenes Journey This account offers an insider's perspective from Italy, following a journey that started at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The narrative highlights the commitment and determination which paved the way to international acclaim. It also reflects on the potential impact this achievement could have, especially for the Lazio region.
1 min read
iExtract from The Italian Insider article back in 2017
Headline: Global Culinary Leaders Converge in Dubai to Advance UNESCO Bid for Italian Cuisine
Dubai hosted a pivotal international conference to champion the candidacy of Italian Cuisine for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. The event was a key part of the 9th Italian Cuisine World Forum, organized by IT CHEFS GVCI.
Led by renowned food expert Rosario Scarpato, IT CHEFS GVCI is a global network of chefs, professionals, and enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and promoting authentic Italian food culture worldwide.
The conference featured a distinguished roster of speakers, including three-Michelin-starred Chef Umberto Bombana (Hong Kong), MasterChef celebrity Donato de Santis (Buenos Aires), and representatives from the Bice Group. They presented strategies for the UNESCO bid—a rare honor achieved by only a few national cuisines.
This Dubai conference marks the second major gathering for the bid, following an inaugural event this summer in Tuscany's Casentino region. The ongoing global dialogue aims to build a compelling case for UNESCO submission by uniting professionals and supporters.
The bid emphasizes Italian cuisine's profound global influence, its health benefits—linked to Italy's ranking as one of the world's healthiest populations—and its cultural legacy. Proposals discussed include certification for authentic Italian restaurants, traceability standards for products, and the codification of traditional recipes.
The conference concluded with the "Night of Stars," a gala dinner where 19 Michelin-starred chefs cooked for an audience that included the Italian Ambassador to the UAE and other dignitaries.
Rome December 2017