Im letzten Jahr wurde die französische Küche zum UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe benannt. So hieß es zumindest in vielen Pressemeldungen. Doch diese Meldungen waren im Grunde eine Verkürzung der Entscheidung der UNESCO. Denn nicht die »französische Küche« à la Bocuse etc. wurde ausgezeichnet, sondern der Brauch des »gastronomic meal« also der Mahlzeit bestehend aus Aperitif und Degistif, Hauptgericht, Dessert und Käseplatte. Und im Rahmen dieses Vier-Gänge-Mal die Kommunikation unter den Anwesenden. Und somit als Ausdruck des Genießens statt nur Essen, um satt zu werden.

Die ausführliche Begründung der UNESCO liest sich wie folgt:
»The gastronomic meal of the French is a customary social practice for celebrating important moments in the lives of individuals and groups, such as births, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, achievements and reunions. It is a festive meal bringing people together for an occasion to enjoy the art of good eating and drinking. The gastronomic meal emphasizes togetherness, the pleasure of taste, and the balance between human beings and the products of nature. Important elements include the careful selection of dishes from a constantly growing repertoire of recipes; the purchase of good, preferably local products whose flavours go well together; the pairing of food with wine; the setting of a beautiful table; and specific actions during consumption, such as smelling and tasting items at the table. The gastronomic meal should respect a fixed structure, commencing with an apéritif (drinks before the meal) and ending with liqueurs, containing in between at least four successive courses, namely a starter, fish and/or meat with vegetables, cheese and dessert. Individuals called gastronomes who possess deep knowledge of the tradition and preserve its memory watch over the living practice of the rites, thus contributing to their oral and/or written transmission, in particular to younger generations. The gastronomic meal draws circles of family and friends closer together and, more generally, strengthens social ties.«