Saturday 25 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Legation of the Sultanate of Oman of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, led by Legate Beatrice Franceschi, celebrated in Muscat the recognition of Italian cuisine as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage with an institutional dinner hosted at Essenza Restaurant, Mandarin Oriental Muscat.
The initiative formed part of the international programme promoted by the Presidency of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, which invited all Italian and overseas Delegations to commemorate this important achievement. In Oman, the event was rescheduled to 19 April in consideration of Eid celebrations, particularly significant across the Gulf region.
The Legation of the Sultanate of Oman is composed of Legate Beatrice Franceschi and Academicians Raffaella Murdolo, Flavio Fazuoli, Benedetto D’Anna and Francesco Gargano, all of whom contributed to the organization of the event.
To mark the occasion, the Legation chose an intimate convivial dinner for around thirty guests gathered around one table, highlighting the deepest values of Italian cuisine: sharing, hospitality, dialogue and community spirit.
UNESCO recognition celebrates not only Italy’s gastronomic excellence, but also a living heritage built on traditions handed down through generations, respect for ingredients, strong ties to local territories, and the unique ability to transform dining into a social and cultural experience.
Among the distinguished guests were business leaders, the City Counsellor for Culture and Tourism, the Ambassador of Italy to the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Pierluigi D’Elia, as well as representatives of Italian institutions in the country, including TOIFA and the Dante Alighieri Society.
The evening took place at Essenza Restaurant, led by chef Davide Borin, who created a menu inspired by authentic Italian tradition with refined local influences.
Signature dishes included abbacchio al cartoccio with a delicate touch of za’atar, followed by a cassata reinterpreted by the chef with Omani dates, a refined meeting point between Italian pastry tradition and local ingredients.
The evening received warm appreciation from all attendees, once again confirming that Italian cuisine remains worldwide a universal language of friendship, culture and conviviality.
