LUCKNOW, Jan. 25 -- Union home minister Amit Shah launched the 'One District-One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme at the Uttar Pradesh Diwas celebrations at Rashtra Prerna Sthal, on Saturday, marking a new push to promote and preserve the state's rich and diverse culinary heritage.

Modelled on the successful 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) programme, the ODOC initiative aims to identify, preserve and promote 75 traditional cuisines and food products - one from each district of Uttar Pradesh, seeking to give district-specific food and beverage specialities a distinct identity, while opening avenues for branding, employment and culinary tourism.

The ODOC food court quickly emerged as one of the biggest crowd-pullers on the opening day. Though on...