Title: Lucknow Named UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy: A Global Salute to Its Royal Culinary Heritage

— by vishal Sambyal

On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO recognised Lucknow as a Creative City of Gastronomy for its rich culinary tradition, joining the global network of 408 cities promoting sustainable creativity.

Lucknow’s Royal Kitchens Win Global Recognition

On World Cities Day 2025, Lucknow’s aromatic kitchens found a place on the world map as UNESCO named the city a Creative City of Gastronomy. This rare recognition celebrates the city’s centuries-old culinary tradition, known for its royal Awadhi cuisine, soulful street food, and deep-rooted culture of hospitality.

With this distinction, Lucknow joins a select list of 58 newly added cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), alongside other global hubs of creativity such as Riyadh (Design), Giza (Film), and New Orleans (Music). The accolade acknowledges food not just as a matter of taste, but as an art form shaping identity and sustainable urban development.

The Global Context: UNESCO’s Vision for Creative Cities

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to promote creativity as a strategic tool for sustainable development across seven themes — Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. In 2025, Architecture became the eighth domain.

According to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, the initiative strengthens global cooperation among cities that view culture and creativity as drivers of inclusive growth and resilient communities. The network now spans 408 cities across more than 100 countries, each contributing to the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For India, Lucknow becomes the ninth city in this prestigious network, following Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Arts), Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts), Chennai and Varanasi (Music), Mumbai (Film), Hyderabad (Gastronomy), Kozhikode (Literature), and Gwalior (Music).

Why Lucknow Deserved the Spotlight

Lucknow’s culinary legacy is steeped in history. As the cultural heart of the erstwhile Awadh region, the city perfected royal recipes under the patronage of Nawabs who viewed cooking as a fine art. The result was the birth of Awadhi cuisine, legendary for its slow-cooked kebabs, aromatic biryanis, soft galawat ke kebab, and rich gravies infused with saffron and cardamom.

Beyond palaces, Lucknow’s charm spills into its bustling streets — from the tender tunday kebabs of Aminabad to melt‑in‑mouth malai paans, kulchas, and festive sweets like revri and nimish. Every dish tells a story of refinement, patience, and harmony between Mughlai techniques and local innovation.

The UNESCO tag now reaffirms what food lovers have always known: that Lucknow’s kitchens represent one of the most sophisticated culinary cultures in Asia.

Voices from the City: Pride and Possibilities

Chef Naushad Ahmed, a noted culinary historian, called the recognition “a well-deserved tribute to generations of artisans who kept Awadhi cooking alive through oral traditions and neighborhood eateries.”

Local entrepreneur Sana Khan, owner of a heritage restaurant in Chowk, said the honour is likely to boost culinary tourism. “Visitors will now come not just for sightseeing but to experience our food heritage firsthand. UNESCO’s recognition opens global collaboration and training opportunities for chefs and artisans.”

Social media in India buzzed with pride, as citizens celebrated Lucknow’s elevation alongside global gastronomic icons such as Parma (Italy), Chengdu (China), and Phuket (Thailand), already part of the network.

Economic and Cultural Impact

For Lucknow, this recognition carries more than prestige. It can transform how the city develops its food ecosystem and tourism strategy. The designation enables access to partnerships with other creative cities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and cultural exchange.

Experts suggest that the city can now attract international conferences, gastronomy festivals, and investments in culinary research. Heritage stakeholders also see this as an opportunity to revive traditional cooking practices and provide livelihoods to small food businesses and artisans.

Among UNESCO’s defined objectives, the most relevant for Lucknow include:

  • Strengthening the creation, production, and distribution of cultural goods

  • Integrating culture in local development strategies

  • Promoting creativity as a pillar of social inclusion and economic opportunity

If executed well, this could make Lucknow a model for heritage-driven urban development — a city where food sustains not only taste but also employment, sustainability, and cross-cultural understanding.

Building on a Global Culinary Network

Lucknow’s entry reinforces India’s diverse representation within UCCN, complementing Hyderabad’s earlier recognition for gastronomy. Each city brings its own culinary character — Hyderabad with its spicy Deccani fare, and Lucknow with its refined Awadhi table — together showcasing India’s extraordinary gastronomic breadth.

Around the world, other newly chosen cities highlight creativity across domains:

  • Rovaniemi (Finland) – Architecture

  • Kisumu (Kenya) and New Orleans (USA) – Music

  • Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) – Design

  • Malang (Indonesia) – Media Arts

  • Aberystwyth (UK) – Literature

Each contributes to fostering resilient and vibrant communities rooted in culture and shared innovation.

The Road Ahead

For Lucknow, the recognition is only the beginning. The city now faces the task of transforming its culinary reputation into sustainable creative infrastructure. Urban planners and policymakers are expected to integrate gastronomy into tourism circuits, heritage preservation projects, and educational programs on local food traditions.

Culinary schools, apprenticeships for women and youth in food enterprises, and global exchanges among chefs could become pathways for inclusive growth. As the world looks toward sustainable solutions, Lucknow’s kitchens may serve more than kebabs—they may serve lessons in coexistence and creativity.

Conclusion

Lucknow’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy unites its legendary past with a visionary future. By preserving the soul of its cuisine while embracing innovation, the city has reaffirmed that culture, when nurtured, can be both delicious and developmental.

From royal recipes to modern rooftops, Lucknow continues to cook up a legacy now celebrated by the world.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from UNESCO and verified cultural sources. No part of the content reproduces copyrighted material.