Lucknow has been added to the list of UNESCO creative cities for its rich and diverse culinary heritage. The city has been recognised in the category of Gastronomy at the 43rd session of its General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The designation places Lucknow among 70 gastronomy cities worldwide and makes it the second Indian city to win the title after Hyderabad.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has designated 58 cities as new members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, which now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh welcomed the move, in a statement, he said culinary tourism has long attracted visitors to the state and that the tag will help the state build the sector further.