UNESCO Just Awarded Italian Cuisine One of the World’s Most Prestigious Cultural Honors

Food and Wine ^ | December 12, 2025 | Gina Pace

[logi_cal869]

It should be a crime that so many people misuse ‘Italian’ for food which is an absolute travesty.

But almost nobody understands what ‘Italian’ food is anymore.

Appallingly low expectations mixed with ‘true pandemic’ learned ignorance.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"...the first time an entire national cuisine has received this distinction."

The UN is desperately seeking relevance. This is SO pathetic.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I’d wager that English Food will be the second time a national cuisine is honored. 😉

[Labyrinthos]

“It should be a crime that so many people misuse ‘Italian’ for food which is an absolute travesty.”

Olive Garden is good example.

My wife is mostly Italian. Her mother was born in Campania. She still shops for fresh produce almost every day.

[Jamestown1630]

A lot of English food is very good.

It’s not given its due.

[Cold Heart]

Shopping for food every day. Apparently pre refrigerator days habits are hard to break.

[logi_cal869]

Oh, THANK YOU.

Not sure why, but your comment jarred my thinking: I was torn on what vegetable to make with Christmas dinner. Nothing was ringing true.

Rapini it IS!

[equaviator]

Well fancy that, I’m just now letting my latest batch of sauce simmer down with 24 homemade custom meatballs standing by. Ten more minutes and in they go.

[dead]

Italians make the best desserts, followed by Germans and Jews in a tie. I’m of Irish descent. Ireland ranks slightly ahead of Navajo on the desert ranking chart, and they eat bark with moss on it for dessert.

[logi_cal869]

Sounds great!

Regrettably, I haven’t made mine in over a year.

[JesusIsLord]

'Big Night' is a comedy, which like 'Moon Struck', will be particularly funny for those of Italian heritage. Primo's character, played by Tony Shalhoub, is portrayed as a neurotic artist and craftsman who takes immense pride in sharing the wonderful dishes of his ancestral homeland. He resists the idea of compromising the "beauty and simplicity of Italian cuisine for a watered-down American-Italian version". His dedication to authentic preparation is also highlighted in the making of the timpano, a complex Calabrian pasta dish that serves as the culinary centerpiece of the film. The timpano itself is based on Stanley Tucci's own family recipe, brought to the United States by his Calabrian grandmother, further emphasizing the importance of regional and familial culinary traditions. Tucci plays Primo's brother Secondo.

Here's the movie's timpano dish:

Big Night movie trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQhoYLsoHI

[Sirius Lee]

Can’t believe the cuisine of Scotland didn’t make the grade.

[logi_cal869]

I long for the day when I can walk into someone’s home when they’re crafting such a meal and I can enjoy to aroma with the meal (I go nose deaf while cooking).

I haven’t experienced that since I was a child living at home.

[equaviator]

I have a photo of my Italian great-great grandmother, great grandmother and grandmother posing with my dad when he was a baby. It’s on the side of my fridge next to the stove for luck. My Dad’s dad was Swedish but that’s a whole ‘nother meatball.

[WeaslesRippedMyFlesh]

“It should be a crime that so many people misuse ‘Italian’ for food which is an absolute travesty.”

Speaking of Gernal Mills scratch franchise Olive Garden.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

Is there anything in their ruling about “Hawaiian pizza” or “Taco pizza” being crimes against humanity?

[cornfedcowboy]

Italian food in Italy is absolutely the King of the Tongue. It’s way more than pizza, lasagna and spaghetti. French cuisine is overrated. English food is by far the worst in the northern hemisphere. Dutch food is pretty poor except there is hardly Dutch cuisine. German coffee is underrated. Spain can cook but eat food way too late. American food is essentially Chili and Barbecue. Not many original dishes in our country.

[logi_cal869]

Quite the picture. I’m fortunate to have my Italian maternal grandparents’ picture from just after they got off the boat.

It’s Ok:

My Dad’s mother was Scottish (Dad’s at least half Italian and never knew it before I pointed out facts).

[logi_cal869]

I’ve been dragged there for dinner (as well as spaghetti factory).

I’ve made it clear that I will never eat at either again in my lifetime.

As well, I’ll ONLY sample an ‘Italian’ Ristorante on personal reference. That comes after a literal lifetime of disappointment. Same goes even for pizza (although there are merely 2 pizza places in the state which earn my irregular business).

The ONLY Italian eatery that I’ve sampled in 40 years with what I classify as ‘good’ Italian food is Crusco’s in Angel’s Camp, CA.

Thus, my pursuit of a real kitchen with which to retire (and cook until room temperature)