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Unesco has officially recognised Italian cooking as a cultural beacon, an endorsement hailed by the far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni<\/a>, whose government has put the country\u2019s food at the heart of its nationalistic expression of identity.<\/p>\n The announcement, made on Wednesday during the UN cultural body\u2019s assembly in Delhi, means Italian cuisine \u2013 from pasta and mozzarella to wine and tiramisu \u2013 will be inscribed on the coveted list of \u201cintangible cultural heritage\u201d.<\/p>\n Italy already boasts 21 other traditions on the list, including the art of Neapolitan pizza making and opera singing<\/a>, and it is the first country to be recognised for its cuisine in its entirety rather than for a single tradition or recipe.<\/p>\n In a video message posted on her Instagram account within minutes of the announcement, Meloni said the news filled her with pride. \u201cWe are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honours who we are and our identity,\u201d she said. \u201cFor us Italians, cuisine is more than just food or a collection of recipes. It\u2019s much more than that: it\u2019s culture, tradition, work and wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n Meloni\u2019s government got to work in pursuing the Unesco<\/a> recognition soon after coming to power in October 2022, formally submitting its bid five months later. The bid emphasised the links between traditional Italian food, culture and lifestyle, describing it as a convivial social ritual that brings families and communities together.<\/p>\n The promotional campaign included an open-air Sunday lunch attended by Meloni and other government officials and their families at the Roman Forum in the Italian capital in September.<\/p>\n In its announcement, Unesco described Italian cuisine as a \u201ccultural and social blend of culinary traditions\u201d and a way of \u201ccaring for oneself and others, expressing love and rediscovering one\u2019s cultural roots\u201d while offering communities an outlet \u201cto share their history and describe the world around them\u201d.<\/p>\n It added: \u201cIt is a communal activity that emphasises intimacy with food, respect for ingredients and shared moments around the table \u2026 People of all ages and genders participate, exchanging recipes, suggestions and stories, with grandparents often passing down traditional dishes to their grandchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, who often decries<\/a> any tinkering with Italian food classics, said the victory was \u201ca celebration that belongs to everyone because it speaks to our roots, our creativity and our ability to transform tradition into reality\u201d.<\/p>\n