Why in news?
On 31 October 2025 UNESCO added Lucknow to its Creative Cities Network under the gastronomy category. The announcement was part of a broader list of 58 new cities across various creative fields. Lucknow’s rich Awadhi cuisine – famed for kebabs, biryanis and breads – earned it a place alongside Hyderabad as India’s second city recognised for gastronomy.
Background
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that invest in culture and creativity as drivers of sustainable urban development. Membership spans seven creative fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music. Cities join by demonstrating a strong cultural heritage, vibrant contemporary creative sectors and a commitment to sharing best practices with other members.
India now has several cities in the network. Varanasi and Chennai represent music, Jaipur and Srinagar are listed for crafts and folk art, Mumbai is recognised for film, Hyderabad and Lucknow for gastronomy, and Ahmedabad for design. The network encourages these cities to exchange ideas, support cultural entrepreneurs and promote tourism.
Key points
- Awadhi culinary heritage: Lucknow’s food culture grew under the patronage of the Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Slow‑cooked dishes such as galouti kebab, nihari and sheermal reflect Persian influences blended with local spices. The city is also known for its sweets and street foods.
- Criteria for inclusion: To join the gastronomy network a city must have a well‑preserved culinary tradition, thriving food markets, restaurants that use local produce and initiatives that foster culinary education and innovation.
- Benefits of membership: Being part of UCCN provides access to global partnerships, technical assistance and marketing opportunities. It can boost cultural tourism, strengthen local food industries and inspire young chefs to carry forward traditional recipes.
- Other 2025 inductees: Besides Lucknow, cities from Spain, Mexico, Thailand and Ghana were recognised in categories such as music, design and crafts, highlighting the network’s diversity.
Significance
- Reviving heritage: The recognition encourages efforts to document and teach traditional Awadhi cooking techniques, ensuring that age‑old recipes are not lost.
- Economic impact: Culinary tourism and related services create jobs for chefs, farmers, artisans and hospitality workers. Local ingredients such as saffron, cardamom and indigenous rice varieties gain prominence.
- International collaboration: Lucknow can now host and participate in festivals, workshops and exchanges with other creative cities, learning from global best practices while showcasing its own gastronomic traditions.
Conclusion
Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is both an honour and an opportunity for Lucknow. By investing in culinary schools, heritage food festivals and sustainable agriculture, the city can leverage its unique cuisine to drive cultural pride and economic development. The recognition also encourages other Indian cities to cherish and promote their own creative assets.
Source: TH
