LUCKNOW, Dec. 11 -- The state capital secured a major global recognition on Thursday after Unesco selected Lucknow for its prestigious Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the 'Gastronomy' category, placing the city's culinary heritage on the world map.

According to a Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) press release on Thursday, Unesco's assistant director-general for culture, Ernesto Ottone R, formally conveyed the honour to mayor Sushma Kharkwal and praised the city's cultural depth, food traditions and creative potential. He said Unesco recognised Lucknow's "vision and capacity" to lead creativity-based urban development.

At the Municipal Corporation headquarters, municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar handed over the official Unesco lett...