Lucknow Joins Elite UNESCO Creative Cities List for Its Rich Culinary Heritage

The historic city of Lucknow, famous for its "melt-in-the-mouth" kebabs and fragrant biryanis, has officially been designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This prestigious recognition places the capital of Uttar Pradesh on a global map of only 70 cities recognized specifically for their culinary excellence.

Lucknow is now the second Indian city to receive this honor, following Hyderabad in 2019. The award celebrates the city's "Awadhi" cuisine, a sophisticated blend of Persian and local Indian styles that evolved in the royal kitchens of the 18th and 19th-century Nawabs.

The city is the birthplace of the famous Galouti Kebab, originally created for an aging Nawab to be so fine it required no chewing.

The 'Dum Pukht' Technique: Lucknow perfected the art of slow-cooking in sealed pots, a method born during an 18th-century famine relief program that is now a staple of gourmet Indian dining globally.

Tim Curtis of UNESCO stated the recognition honors the city's vibrant food ecosystem and opens doors for international collaboration in sustainable urban development.

While world-renowned for its non-vegetarian fare like Kormas and Sheermal, the region is also being highlighted as a diverse paradise for vegetarian food lovers.

Local residents and culinary experts, including celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, have hailed the move, noting that the recognition was long overdue for a city where food is considered the "soul" of daily life.