Lucknow UNESCO City of Gastronomy title celebrates its rich Awadhi culinary heritage and sustainable food traditions. Learn about the recognition, key details, and India’s growing presence in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Lucknow Recognised as UNESCO “City of Gastronomy” for Its Rich Awadhi Culinary Heritage
An Introduction to the Recognition
The city of Lucknow has been officially recognised by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy” under the Creative Cities Network 2025, acknowledging its illustrious culinary legacy rooted in Awadhi cuisine and the region’s syncretic Ganga-Jamuni culture.
This prestigious title elevates Lucknow’s global standing, positioning it among the world’s top gastronomic destinations and highlighting its world-famous kebabs, sweets and street food culture.
Announcement at UNESCO’s General Conference
The formal announcement occurred during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
As part of the nomination process: the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, prepared a detailed dossier; the Ministry of Culture forwarded India’s official nomination on 3 March 2025; and the dossier emphasised the city’s culinary diversity, innovation and sustainable food traditions.
This marks a significant milestone not only for Lucknow but also for India’s cultural diplomacy through cuisine.
Culinary Heritage & The Awadhi Tradition
Lucknow’s recognition is deeply entwined with its rich Awadhi cuisine, which has evolved from royal kitchens and the region’s composite culture.
The nomination emphasised iconic dishes such as:
- The legendary Galouti Kebab and Tunday Kebab, symbols of Lucknow’s royal heritage.
- Street-food favourites like Nihari‑Kulcha, Puri‑Kachori and the sweet delight Makhan Malai.
This culinary repertoire serves as a reflection of the city’s unique cultural blending and gastronomic refinement.
Significance of the “City of Gastronomy” Title
Being designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy brings multiple benefits:
- It promotes sustainable and cultural tourism, directing global attention to the local food heritage.
- It provides support and recognition to local chefs, artisans and small food businesses, helping preserve traditional recipes and cooking methods.
- It strengthens India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy via food and heritage, and encourages knowledge exchange and innovation among other UNESCO creative cities.
India’s Presence in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
With Lucknow’s inclusion, India now has nine cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Examples:
- Jaipur (Crafts & Folk Art, 2015)
- Varanasi (Music, 2015)
- Hyderabad (Gastronomy, 2019)
- Lucknow now joins as the second Indian city in the Gastronomy category (after Hyderabad).
Why This News is Important
Relevance for Competitive Examinations
This recognition of Lucknow is a significant current-affairs topic for aspirants preparing for exams like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), state PSCs, banking, railways and teaching posts. The theme touches upon culture, tourism, heritage, and India’s international engagements — all frequently featured under General Studies sections.
Implications for India’s Soft Power and Tourism
By acquiring the UNESCO “City of Gastronomy” tag, Lucknow enhances India’s global soft-power profile. Such designations signal how India is leveraging its intangible cultural heritage to boost tourism, economic growth and international branding. This is vital knowledge for banking, defence or police officers who may be tested on India’s heritage policies and tourism initiatives.
Answering Multiple Syllabus Segments
The story spans across different segments:
- Culture and heritage (Awadhi cuisine, composite culture)
- Government initiatives (nomination by state & central authorities)
- International organisations (UNESCO)
- Economic and tourism impact
Understanding these linkages aids exam-takers in building integrated answers in descriptive/essay portions.
Historical Context
Evolution of Awadhi Cuisine and Lucknow’s Culinary Legacy
The rich food culture of Lucknow is deeply rooted in the Awadh region’s historical evolution under various rulers, including the Nawabs of Awadh, who introduced refined cooking techniques and royal kitchens. The city’s Ganga-Jamuni cultural ethos brought together Hindu and Muslim traditions, influencing its cuisine.
Nomination and Network Details
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 with an objective to promote cities that base their development on culture, creativity and innovation.
India has progressively included cities under different categories—crafts, music, gastronomy—over the years. Lucknow’s 2025 inclusion in the Gastronomy category adds to this trajectory, following Hyderabad’s 2019 tag in the same category.
Tourism, Heritage & Recognition
Over time, Indian cities have used such international recognitions to bolster heritage tourism. Recognition by UNESCO offers global visibility and acts as a catalyst for city branding, sustainable tourism policies and culinary heritage preservation.
Key Takeaways from Lucknow’s UNESCO Gastronomy Recognition
| S. No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lucknow has been recognised as a UNESCO “City of Gastronomy” under its Creative Cities Network in 2025. |
| 2 | The nomination emphasised Lucknow’s Awadhi cuisine, including dishes such as Galouti Kebab, Tunday Kebab, Nihari-Kulcha and Makhan Malai. |
| 3 | The recognition process involved the Directorate of Tourism (Uttar Pradesh) preparing the dossier, submission to the Ministry of Culture and final nomination in March 2025. |
| 4 | Benefits include promotion of sustainable cultural tourism, support for local chefs/artisans/food businesses, and strengthening of India’s culinary heritage & soft-power. |
| 5 | With this inclusion, India now has nine cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; Lucknow becomes the second Indian city under the Gastronomy category after Hyderabad. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is an initiative launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. It includes categories such as gastronomy, music, literature, crafts and folk art, film, design, and media arts.
2. Why was Lucknow selected as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy?
Lucknow was selected for its rich Awadhi culinary heritage, royal cooking traditions, and cultural diversity reflected in its cuisine. The nomination highlighted its sustainable food practices and strong community involvement in culinary preservation.
3. How many Indian cities are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network now?
With Lucknow’s inclusion, India has nine cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, including Jaipur, Varanasi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Srinagar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gwalior, and now Lucknow.
4. What are some iconic dishes representing Lucknow’s Awadhi cuisine?
Some of the famous dishes include Galouti Kebab, Tunday Kebab, Nihari-Kulcha, Puri-Kachori, and Makhan Malai—each showcasing the region’s unique blend of spices and techniques.
5. When was Lucknow’s nomination for UNESCO City of Gastronomy submitted?
The Ministry of Culture submitted the nomination dossier on March 3, 2025, after it was prepared by the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
6. What are the benefits of being designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy?
This recognition enhances cultural tourism, supports local chefs and food artisans, encourages sustainable culinary practices, and elevates the city’s global reputation as a gastronomic hub.
7. Which was the first Indian city to receive the UNESCO City of Gastronomy tag?
Hyderabad was the first Indian city to receive the UNESCO City of Gastronomy tag in 2019, for its Hyderabadi cuisine.
8. How does this recognition impact India’s soft power?
Such recognitions strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy by showcasing its intangible heritage globally, boosting tourism, and fostering international collaborations in the food and creative sectors.
9. Where was Lucknow’s recognition announced by UNESCO?
The announcement was made at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
10. Which government bodies were involved in Lucknow’s UNESCO nomination process?
The Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh prepared the nomination dossier, while the Ministry of Culture, Government of India forwarded it to UNESCO.
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