Foodies, let’s be honest; Italy is probably firmly on your radar for its incredible cuisine. From those classic rustic pizzas to the art of making pasta, the country is renowned for its gastronomic offerings. 

In fact, the food is so good that it’s just been granted Unesco cultural heritage status, an accolade often attributed to attractions and landmarks. It’s the first time a cuisine has received this kind of Unesco recognition, but not surprising, considering the amount of delicious dishes that have originated from various Italian regions.

For example, the city of Naples is hailed as the ‘birthplace of pizza, Bologna is where you’ll find some incredible cured meats, Genoa is credited as being the home of pesto, gelato is said to have originated in Florence, Milan is credited for risotto (and Campari), Rome is renowned for its carbonara, and Treviso is where tiramisu was first invented. Just to name a few.

It wasn’t specific food items that led to the cultural recognition, although the food itself and the way it’s prepared do obviously play a major role. However, it was specifically Italian traditions and the sense of community it creates all played a major role in the cuisine picking up the heritage status.

The Unesco team behind the decision praised “the use of raw materials and artisanal food preparation techniques”, but particularly highlighted the way it brings people together, not to mention the fact that recipes are passed down from generation to generation.

They explained: “It is a communal activity that emphasizes intimacy with food, respect for ingredients, and shared moments around the table. The practice is rooted in anti-waste recipes and the transmission of flavours, skills and memories across generations. It is a means of connecting with family and the community, whether at home, in schools, or through festivals, ceremonies and social gatherings”.

The country’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, issued a statement on Instagram in which she said: “We are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honours who we are and our identity. For us Italians, cuisine is more than just food or a collection of recipes. It’s much more than that: it’s culture, tradition, work and wealth.”

It’s not the first time that Italian cuisine has been crowned some of the world’s best food. Last year, rankings of the world’s best cities for food saw Naples, Milan and Bologna take the top three podium spots. In fact, six of the top 10 cities were actually Italian destinations, although Paris, Vienna, Osaka and Mumbai did manage to squeeze in amongst them. 

For those who are looking for something a little closer to home, the good news is that there are plenty of brilliant foodie destinations in the UK, including one city that’s been credited as the must-visit for foodies. A study uncovered Bath as being an underrated foodie paradise thanks to the cornucopia of restaurants and cafés tailoring to a wide array of budgets, not to mention the number of fine dining restaurants that could be found tucked away amongst its beautiful buildings and cobbled streets. 

Have you got a travel story to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com