Chengdu became a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2010, the first city in Asia to receive this honor, due to its deep-rooted culinary heritage and its role as the cradle of Sichuan cuisine. The city was recognized for its 4,500-year history as a center of gastronomy, characterized by a unique "ma la" (hot and numbing) flavor profile and a diverse array of over 100 signature dishes. UNESCO cited Chengdu's vibrant food community, which includes over 60,000 catering enterprises and thousands of renowned chefs, as well as its commitment to preserving traditional cooking practices and indigenous ingredients. Additionally, the city’s extensive public participation in food culture—exemplified by teahouse traditions and major events like the Chengdu International Food Festival—and its integration of gastronomy into sustainable urban development and education further solidified its status as a global leader in culinary creativity.