After Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, was chosen as a UNESCO 'Creative City of Gastronomy', Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the residents of the state to join the 'One District–One Dish' campaign.
Lucknow: Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has once again made history on the global stage with its Nawabi heritage and wonderful culinary culture. UNESCO has conferred the status of 'Creative City of Gastronomy' on Lucknow. This achievement not only honors the city's culinary tradition but also brings global recognition to India's rich culinary and cultural diversity.
Following this glorious announcement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the residents of the state, stating that this honor for Lucknow is a triumph of taste and tradition for the entire Uttar Pradesh. He appealed to people to join the 'One District, One Cuisine' campaign and called for the state's unique dishes to be introduced to the world.
UNESCO Confers 'Gastronomy City' Status
UNESCO announced the inclusion of 58 new cities in its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) on October 31, with Lucknow being granted the status of 'Creative City of Gastronomy'. Previously, from India, Hyderabad received a place in this category in 2019. This honor is bestowed upon cities that inspire the world through their culinary arts, cultural diversity, and innovation. The announcement was made on the occasion of 'World Cities Day' during UNESCO's 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
According to UNESCO, Lucknow has carved a unique identity on the global culinary map through its combination of Awadhi cuisine, traditional techniques, and modern gastronomic innovation.
CM Yogi's Message: "The Taste of Every District, the Identity of Uttar Pradesh"
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in his message,
'This international recognition for Lucknow is not just an achievement for one city, but it is the pride of Uttar Pradesh's entire culinary heritage. Now is the time for us to present the dishes of each of our districts to the world.'
He urged the residents of the state to explore traditional dishes in their vicinity, prepare them at home, and share their pictures or videos on social media under the 'One District-One Dish' campaign. Yogi stated that our culinary love and creativity will not only promote tourism but also strengthen the soft power of Indian cuisine globally.
Famous Dishes of Lucknow and UP Become the Center of Discussion
CM Yogi illustrated by saying that Lucknow's famous chaat and kebabs, Banaras's malaiyo, Meerut's gajak, Agra's petha, Mathura's peda, Baghpat's balushahi, Banda's Sohan halwa, and Khurja's khurchan showcase the diversity of flavors in our state. He added that every dish has its own historical and cultural significance, keeping the culinary traditions alive for generations.
The state government's objective is to promote culinary tourism by connecting each district's identity with its unique dish through the 'One District–One Dish' (ODOD) scheme. This international recognition for Lucknow will now serve as an inspiration for other cities in Uttar Pradesh. The government believes that this will not only strengthen the state's cultural economy but also boost local entrepreneurship, women's self-reliance, and job creation.
