Context: On World Cities Day (October 31), during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, was officially designated as a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’.
- This recognition places Lucknow alongside 70 other cities worldwide renowned for their rich culinary heritage.
More in the News:
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) admitted 58 cities, including Lucknow, as new members of the network for its wide range of delicious food.
- With this recognition, Lucknow joins cities such as Hyderabad (India), Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah (Saudi Arabia), Kelowna (Canada), Quanzhou (China) and Zaragoza (Spain) in Unesco Creative Cities network.
- The honour celebrates Lucknow’s centuries-old culinary traditions from royal kitchens to its vibrant street food culture and recognises its living heritage that blends artistry, hospitality, and cultural harmony.
About Lucknow(Awadhi) Cuisine
- Ancient Culinary Legacy: Lucknow’s culinary legacy dates back to the 18th century, when the Nawabs of Awadh transformed dining into an art form.
- Dum-style biryanis, melt-in-the-mouth galouti kebabs, silky nihari, and desserts like makhan malai became expressions of refinement and generosity.
- Reflection of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb: Lucknow’s cuisine reflects its Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a unique blend of cultures, communities, and flavours.
- Culinary Heritage as a Tool for Cultural Diplomacy: Iconic dishes like galouti kebab, Awadhi biryani, tokri chaat, puri-kachori, and malai gilori showcase Lucknow’s culinary artistry, highlighting food as a symbol of dialogue, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Significance of the honour:
- Global Recognition: Every plate served in Lucknow tells a story of royal kitchens, street vendors and cultural unity. This honour will strengthen global outreach and support food-based livelihoods.
- Fostering Employment and Economic growth: It will open new avenues for international collaboration, driving economic development, entrepreneurship and local employment while strengthening Lucknow’s identity as India’s culinary capital.
- Boost to culinary Tourism: As per government data, Lucknow recorded 8.27 million tourists in 2024, and in just the first half of 2025, over 7 million visitors had already arrived , reflecting how food and culture continue to drive tourism growth.
- Promoting Cultural Heritage: It is a tribute to a living culture where every flavour tells the story of its people.
