Official Badge and Italian Cuisine: a UNESCO-related recognition

Chef Alessandro Borghese received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF) the Official Badge of Italian Cuisine, a tricolour emblem highlighting the status of Italian cuisine as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The award acknowledges the skills, memories and culinary traditions rooted across Italy.

Relevance for UNESCO Sites in Italy

Recognising cuisine as intangible heritage strengthens the connection between local culinary practices and the cultural landscapes protected as UNESCO Sites. Food traditions are often integral to the history, agriculture and social life that define these places.

Practical implications

• Symbolic recognition: the badge identifies professionals and institutions committed to preserving traditional recipes and culinary techniques.
• Territorial promotion: UNESCO Sites can integrate food heritage into their cultural offer, linking cuisine with landscape and local history.
• Safeguarding knowledge: the recognition supports training, intergenerational transmission and sustainable production practices tied to traditional foodways.

Practical tips for visitors who want to explore local cuisine at UNESCO Sites

• Research local specialties: identify dishes and ingredients connected to the UNESCO Site you are visiting.
• Join experiences: attend workshops, farm visits or cooking demonstrations focused on traditional recipes.
• Support local producers: buy and taste typical products at markets or local shops to support short supply chains.
• Respect traditions: learn about traditional practices and follow local guidelines for consumption and conservation of resources.

The badge is more than a personal award: it is a call to protect and communicate Italian culinary heritage as a shared resource, closely linked to the UNESCO Sites that preserve the landscapes, agricultural practices and local cultures behind these traditions.