Lucknow: UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Context:
Lucknow has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The announcement was made on October 31st as part of 58 new additions to the network
It is a recognition of its distinguished culinary heritage and contribution to India's gastronomic traditions.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the designation.
He noted that Lucknow is synonymous with a vibrant culture and rich culinary traditions.
About the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):
Lucknow is the second Indian city to receive this honour for gastronomy (Hyderabad was designated in 2019)
The UCCN includes 408 cities worldwide and recognizes excellence in fields like Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music, and the newly added Architecture.
Criteria for City of Gastronomy:
A city must show a deep-rooted gastronomic culture, from its food markets and traditional ingredients to its community of chefs and generational recipes.
Sustainability and respect for the environment are also key factors.
Lucknow’s Culinary Heritage (Awadhi Cuisine)
The recognition celebrates Awadh's historic cuisine
Kebabs: The city is renowned for its melt-in-mouth kebabs
Shami Kebab
Kakori Kebab
Biryani and Pulao:
Awadhi cuisine is famous for dum phukt biryani.
Historically, pulao was favoured over biryani
Significance of the Honour:
The honour enhances Lucknow's global stature, positioning it as a premier destination
As part of the UCCN, Lucknow can partner with other member cities to share experiences, pilot projects, and engage in professional exchange programmes.