India’s city of Nawabs (Lucknow) selected for UNESCO’s Gastronomic Creative City

Indian cuisine has created a niche for itself in the global culinary map, and adding another feather to its hat, India’s city of Nawabs gets selected for UNESCO’s Gastronomic Creative City awards. Here’s all you need to know about it…

Since ages, the city of Nawabs Lucknow has been known for its rich culinary heritage, royal culinary delicacies and delightful Awadhi cuisine. Interestingly, the culinary history and creativity of Lucknow has made a big move by putting its culinary heritage on the global map by officially applying to join UNESCO's 'Creative Cities Network' (UCCN) under the category of Gastronomy, which further gets selected for the recognition.

Established in 2004, UCCN recognizes cities/states that have shown exceptional creativity in any of these fields such as food, culture, heritage, arts, and in case of Lucknow's, the city boasts of its rich culinary culture and heritage. Apart from that love for its unique Awadhi cuisine, slow-cooked kebabs, aromatic biryanis, and sweets and perfectly cooked meat delicacies, this city is a paradise for every foodie. Expressing his views to a digital daily, Roshan Jacob, Lucknow's Divisional Commissioner said that the “city has been nominated by India for this prestigious tag, and now, the team is gathering more detailed information to submit by the end of June. If everything goes well, UNESCO experts might visit Lucknow soon to see the city's culinary culture firsthand. Interestingly, the Mumbai-based consultant Abha Narain Lambah played a key role in putting together a detailed dossier about Lucknow's gastronomic heritage. The entire effort is closely monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.”

What’s special about Lucknow's cuisines?

From Tunday Kebabs to Biryanis to Kakori Kebabs, the busy bylanes of Lucknow are known for their unique recipes that hail from the royal kitchen prepared by Khamsamas. This culinary tradition was gradually passed on to the local food lanes, which gave this cuisine a recognition in the global culinary map. Interestingly, Lucknow is not only known for its non-veg delicacies, but it also has some of the most thoughtfully created vegetarian delicacies that make this cuisine versatile and delightful.

The UP government's tourism and culture departments are actively promoting this culinary diversity. The aim is to showcase Lucknow as a city that not only leads in non-veg delights but also charms vegetarians with its unique street foods and sweets. Lucknow already attracts nearly 48 million tourists every year, many of whom come eager to explore the city's famed food courts and street stalls. Major events like the G20 Summit and the UP Investors Summit have given a global boost to the city, with international leaders enjoying its culinary richness.

For the unversed, India already has five other cities - Chennai, Hyderabad (for Gastronomy), Varanasi, Jaipur, and Mumbai - in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Each has been chosen for their unique cultural contributions. Lucknow hopes to join this elite list soon.

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