Lucknow Recognised as UNESCO ‘City of Gastronomy’ for Its Rich Awadhi Culinary Heritage

Current Context: On October 31, 2025, Lucknow was declared a UNESCO “City of Gastronomy” under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

• The recognition celebrates the city’s Awadhi cuisine, famous for kebabs, biryanis, kormas, sheermal, and sweets, rooted in Mughal and Nawabi traditions.
• It also highlights Lucknow’s Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, the cultural fusion of Hindu and Muslim traditions reflected in its food.
• This makes Lucknow India’s second City of Gastronomy after Hyderabad (2019).
• The title will boost culinary tourism, global branding, and sustainable food practices, while supporting local chefs and food entrepreneurs.

Question:

Q.1 Which traditional cuisine was the main reason behind Lucknow’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy?
a) Bengali cuisine
b) Awadhi cuisine
c) Punjabi cuisine
d) Rajasthani cuisine

Answer: b) UNESCO highlighted Lucknow’s Awadhi cuisine, famous for kebabs, biryanis, kormas, and sheermal, and sweets, rooted in Mughal and Nawabi traditions.