UNESCO-Recognised Italian Cuisine Anchors Italy’s Presence at the World’s Leading Food Event
Dubai, UAE – Qahwa World
Italy will take centre stage at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest food and beverage trade show, running from 26–30 January across two venues: the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will showcase the nation’s culinary heritage and sustainable food practices.
A total of 22 companies will exhibit within the Italian Food Lab, complemented by 311 Italian exhibitors across the Italian Pavilion, reflecting Italy’s strong and diverse presence at the 31st edition of the event.
Italy’s participation is underscored by the recent UNESCO recognition of Italian cuisine, formally titled “Italian cooking between sustainability and biocultural diversity”, which has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This makes Italian cuisine the first national culinary tradition worldwide to receive this distinction, recognising it as a living cultural system rooted in agricultural landscapes, biodiversity, seasonal produce, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge.
At Gulfood 2026, Italy will highlight the cultural, agricultural, and sustainable foundations of its food heritage. The Italian Food Lab will serve as an experiential hub, featuring live cooking demonstrations and gastronomic masterclasses led by Italian chefs based in the UAE and internationally. Visitors will be able to explore Italy’s regional culinary diversity, high-quality ingredients, and production practices that balance tradition with sustainability.
Trade figures underscore Italy’s established market presence in the UAE. In the first eleven months of 2025, Italy exported €416.9 million in food and beverage products to the UAE, following a total export value of €447 million in 2024. Leading categories include beverages (€76.5 million), cereal, flour, and starch-based preparations (€55.8 million), and dairy products (€32 million), demonstrating steady demand across retail, hospitality, and foodservice sectors.
“Italian cuisine goes beyond taste, reflecting a strong bond between people, tradition, and sustainability,” said H.E. Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE. “Gulfood is a key platform to share this heritage, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with partners and consumers across the UAE.”
Valerio Soldani, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE and Oman, added: “Italy’s food and beverage exports to the UAE reflect a mature and discerning market. Gulfood 2026 allows us to translate this value into experience, through the Italian Food Lab, masterclasses, and direct engagement, showcasing the cultural depth, diversity, and sustainability that now carry formal international recognition.”
Visitors to Gulfood 2026 are invited to experience the Italian Food Lab and its programme of masterclasses throughout the exhibition, offering an authentic insight into Italy’s rich food and agricultural heritage.
