Culinary Arts Around the World Revealed by Chefs and Artisans

Updated on January 15, 2026 by Meg Pier

Food

Culinary arts are generally understood to include food preparation, cooking, plating, presentation, and serving. 

Even while the definition of culinary arts is universal, local approaches to them are frequently distinct. 

Geographical features like climate and landscape; historical influences from colonizers, indigenous peoples, and trade; and cultural components like immigration and religion all have a role in the development of a region's cuisine. These factors work together to create a distinct culinary identity that is influenced by the resources that are readily available, cooking customs, and the cultural legacy that has been passed down through the ages. 

Food is regarded as a component of intangible cultural heritage, which is a lifestyle that is transmitted from one generation to the next. Traditional cooking methods, dining manners, and recipes are all essential components of cultural history and can represent the values and beliefs of various groups. 

The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list includes many dishes and food-related customs and traditions, including: 

  • Al-Mansaf, a festive banquet in Jordan
  • Harissa from Tunisia
  • Traditional tea processing techniques and social practices in China 
  • Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking
  • Palov culture and tradition in Uzbekistan
  • Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE

One of the most concrete and expressive forms of culture is the culinary arts!  Food's presentation, scent, texture, noises, and taste all appeal to the five senses. If identity is the primary component of "Culture," then who doesn't view their favorite food as an essential component of their identity and origins?

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