With those stellar credentials, isn’t it high time it made a pitch for UNESCO recognition as India’s next Creative City of Gastronomy? ADVERTISEMENTNobody, of course, would have any grouse with the recognition granted to Hyderabad and Lucknow, two luminaries on India’s culinary map. UNESCO’s recognition highlights Hyderabad’s strong documentation of its culinary heritage, its preservation efforts, and the presence of concrete policies and infrastructure aimed at supporting gastronomic hubs. ItsUNESCO nomination foregrounded these qualities along with city plans to safeguard traditional techniques and involve vendors and craftspeople. In recent years, the West Bengal Heritage Commission, INTACH, heritage walk organisers, and social entrepreneurs have come together to support culinary documentation projects by college students.

Source: The Telegraph February 09, 2026 14:41 UTC