The Italian Embassy in Muscat will hold the tenth edition of Italian Cuisine Week worldwide from November 8 to 15, 2026. This edition will focus on the theme "Italian Cuisine as UNESCO Heritage: Selected Territories and Supply Chains."
Cultural Importance of Italian Cuisine
This edition is particularly significant following the registration of "Italian Cuisine, between Sustainability and Cultural Biodiversity" on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 10, 2025. This historic recognition celebrates Italian cuisine not only as a collection of recipes or regional dishes but as a living cultural tradition that encompasses the history, identity, social values, and extraordinary territorial diversity of this country.
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Festival Programs in Oman
The UNESCO recognition emphasizes the cultural and social dimensions of Italian cuisine, including the use of quality ingredients, respect for seasons, traditional cooking techniques, the importance of sharing meals, and the transfer of culinary knowledge from one generation to another. It also highlights values of sustainability, reducing food waste, and the close relationship between communities, local landscapes, and their agricultural traditions.
In this context, the 2026 edition aims to highlight the strong connection between gastronomy, territories, and agricultural supply chains. This festival will showcase how Italy's regional products, traditional knowledge, and commitment to quality contribute to preserving the culinary heritage of this country while promoting sustainable food practices.
The program of activities in Muscat brings together the excellence of Italian cuisine with Omani audiences through a series of initiatives that showcase the richness of Italy's gastronomic heritage.
During the event, Mr. Pierluigi Delia, the Italian Ambassador to Oman, stated: "Italian Cuisine Week worldwide is an important opportunity to celebrate and share the richness of Italy's culinary heritage with the Omani public. Through cuisine, we not only aim to promote the flavors and quality products of Italy but also seek to strengthen intercultural dialogue and enhance friendship relations between Italy and Oman."
The main event of this festival is a private dinner hosted by the Italian Ambassador in Oman, attended by Ms. Maria Carmela Serluca, the Regional Minister of Agriculture of the Campania region of Italy, and Chef Pasquale Rinaldo, a renowned Italian executive chef known for his contemporary interpretation of traditional Campanian cuisine.
Throughout this week, several prominent Italian restaurants in Muscat, including Briza, Essenza, Café Novikov, Robotus, Sole, Pomodoro, and Toscani, will also participate in the festival by offering special menus, inviting residents and visitors to discover and enjoy the distinctive flavors of Italian cuisine.
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