In March 2023, Italy applied to have its cuisine inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Italian cuisine is not merely food or simple recipes; it is a complete set of social practices, customs and specific actions. This series of elements enables people to view the preparation and consumption of meals as moments of sharing and gathering, which is a collective ritual for the Italian people who consider food as part of their cultural identity.

In Italy, cooking is a way to care for family and friends (if at home) or customers (if in a restaurant). It is a combination of various local skills, an expression of creativity and knowledge, and has become a tradition passed down from generation to generation. It is also a form of biodiversity protection, based on not wasting any food, reusing leftovers, and using seasonal ingredients from all over the country. Italian cuisine is part of our history and is a precious asset for the 60 million Italians living in the country, the 8 million Italians living abroad and their descendants, as well as many foreigners who love the Italian way of life and are inspired by it.