Iriana Jokowi: We Convince The World That Rendang Deserves To Be Loved And Recognized By UNESCO

First Lady, Iriana Joko Widodo while using the Balai Panjang Weaving. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo wants rendang to be loved and recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the world.

"We cook rendang together, we show the world the culinary riches of Indonesia and we convince the world that rendang deserves to be loved and recognized by UNESCO and the world," she said via a video conference link from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, reported by Antara, Saturday, August 21.

She conveyed this in the "World-wide Virtual Rendang Cooking" event in the context of recording rendang as a world cultural heritage from West Sumatra, Indonesia to UNESCO.

The event was organized by the Provincial Government of West Sumatra together with Lantamal II, Dharma Pertiwi, National Crafts Council (Dekranas), Minang Diaspora, Dekranasda, Association of Catering Experts (Ikaboga), and Bhayangkari West Sumatra.

In the event, the community is also asked to cook rendang first (kaliyo) and during the event, the rendang is on a cauldron and stove with the fire burning before it is cooked.

"In 2011 rendang has been named the most delicious dish in the list of 50 dishes in the world by CNN International," said Iriana.

Furthermore, rendang was also recognized as an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage from West Sumatra in 2013 by the Ministry of Education and Culture and ranked 11th as the most delicious food in the world in 2011 and 2021 according to CNN Travel's version.

However, according to Iriana, this is not enough.

"But it's not enough, we have to fight more. Our target is that rendang can be named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia by UNESCO," she said.

The First Lady also hopes that rendang can be served in various places in the world.

"We want rendang to be served and loved in the world. Happy cooking," said Iriana Joko Widodo.