To  those who preserve flavors that carry stories. 

Share the flavor you’ll never forget, and it can be officially certificated with its own archive number, transforming your personal memories into the shared food culture.

About the Project

In 2026, Lee Kum Kee and UNESCO launched the Forever Flavors Project, a living archive preserving culinary stories from around the world. 

More than taste, flavor carries memory, emotion, and heritage across cultures and time. By keeping these stories within our collective history, this project seeks to inspire and warm the hearts of generations to come.

About Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture and the champion of Chinese cuisine worldwide. Since 1888, it has connected people through joyful reunions, shared traditions, and memorable meals. With a range of over 300 sauces and condiments, the brand sparks creativity for both home cooks and professional chefs everywhere.

Based in Hong Kong, China and reaching more than 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee continues to uphold its heritage, quality, sustainability, and “Constant Entrepreneurship” to serve exceptional Asian cuisine experiences around the world. 

Visit Lee Kum Kee Website

About UNESCO

About UNESCO

Established in 1945, UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—is a specialized UN agency dedicated to strengthening shared humanity through the promotion of education, science, culture, and communication.

UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia works to find and implement innovative solutions in social, cultural, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development, helping countries to achieve their national development priorities and commitments on Sustainable Development Goals and the Education Agenda 2030.
 

Visit UNESCO Website

FAQs

How do I submit my story?

You can submit your story through any one of the following channels:

After we receive your submission, you will receive an acknowledgement message confirming receipt of your submission. If we need any additional information, we will contact you using the contact details you provided.

What should my submission include?

Your submission should include:

  • A story (text) under the theme “Flavors that Bind”—how food brings people together, carries memories, and expresses cultural identity. From time to time, we may introduce sub-themes to inspire new ways of sharing. The latest sub-theme will be shown on the campaign website. Length: At least 50 words.
  • At least one (1) image that complements your story and helps convey the experience visually. A video may also be submitted (if you choose to submit a video, it must be no longer than 5 minutes and no larger than 100MB). If your video exceeds 5 minutes or 100MB, you may include a video link (URL) in the story text instead, provided that you own the video and have the necessary rights/permissions to share it. You may receive assistance from others in filming or recording your submission, provided that the core content of your story remains your own and is not altered.
  • A display name (nickname is acceptable) and your contact information (e.g. email address, phone number), plus your country/region of residence so we can contact you if needed.

For details of the requirements, please refer to Section 2 in the Terms and Conditions.

What are the content guidelines?

All submissions must be original, positive, wholesome, and respectful. Please ensure that your submission:

  • Is your own original work and does not use content created by others without permission;
  • Does not contain politically or religiously sensitive topics;
  • Does not contain discriminatory, inflammatory, hateful, violent, or illegal content, or promote harmful activities.

For details of other requirements and prohibited content, please refer to Section 2 of the Terms and Conditions . If copyright infringement or other violations are found, we may remove the submission and revoke any related recognition, including certificates and/or archive numbers (if applicable).

How are stories reviewed and selected?

Selected stories will be announced at times determined by us on the campaign website and/or official channels. For details of the review and selection, please refer to Section 3 of the Terms and Conditions .

Assessment criteria could be:

  1. Relevance to theme / sub-theme
    1. The story clearly reflects the campaign theme “Forever Flavors” and “Flavors that Bind”.
    2. Shows how food connects people, safeguards traditions, or expresses cultural identity.
  2. Authenticity & personal connection
    1. The story is personal and original, drawn from the individual’s own experience, family, or community.
    2. Demonstrates genuine emotions and lived experiences.
  3. Cultural & heritage value
    1. Highlights aspects of food-related cultural heritage, traditions, rituals, or memories that are meaningful to a community.
    2. Offers insight into cultural practices that may inspire others to value and safeguard living heritage.
  4. Storytelling quality
    1. The narrative is clear, engaging, and coherent.
    2. Describes emotions, memories, and sensory experiences associated with the food or tradition.
  5. Multimedia quality
    1. Visuals (photos or videos) are relevant, clear, and help convey the story.
    2. Multimedia enhances understanding or emotional impact without needing professional production.
  6. Compliance & positivity
    1. Content adheres to campaign guidelines: wholesome, non-discriminatory, free from political or religious sensitivity, and does not promote harmful activities.
  7. Originality & authenticity
    1. Stories must be original and authentic. Production support from others is allowed, and footage does not need to be self-shot; however, such support must not compromise the story’s core message or the storyteller’s intended expression.

Selection Criteria:

  1. Fully meets all the above Submission Requirements.
  2. The story closely aligns with the theme, demonstrating sincere, complete, and compelling storytelling.

UNESCO and Lee Kum Kee reserve the final right of interpretation.

What happens if my submission is selected?

If your story is selected:

  1. It may be published on the campaign website and/or related official channels (for details, please refer to Section 5.2 of the Terms and Conditions); and
  2. You may receive a digital certificate and an archive/reference number (if applicable).

To issue the certificate, we may ask you to provide additional details after the initial review (e.g. your legal full name). We will contact you using the contact information you provided. Certificates will be issued within a reasonable time after selection.

Privacy & rights: how will my story and other data be used?
  1. Your email and phone number will not be publicly displayed and will be used mainly for campaign administration, communication with you, notifications, and certificate issuance (if applicable).
  2. You may make submission using a nickname. If selected, we may request your legal full name for certificate issuance.
  3. By submitting your story, you confirm you have the rights to share your text, image(s), and video(s), and that you have obtained the necessary permissions, including consent from any identifiable individual appearing in your images or videos.
  4. If selected, your story, image(s), and video(s) may be used for campaign-related publication and publicity by Lee Kum Kee and UNESCO, as described in the Terms & Conditions.
  5. For details on how we collect, use, store, and transfer information (including cross-border processing), please refer to our

Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy .

Submit Your Story 

Story text

Need inspiration?

  • Whose flavour is this-who made it or shared it with you?
  • When do you taste it most: New Year, festivals, everyday dinners?
  • What is the first memory that comes back when you smell it?
  • What tradition, ritual, or heritage does it carry?
  • How does this flavour bring people together?
  • If you could send this flavour to someone far away who would it be? Why?
Minimum 50 characters
One file only.
3 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg, png, webp.
Choose one image to represent your story

(WEBP, JPEG and PNG, file size up to 3MB)

Maximum 10 files.
10 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg, png, webp, mov, mp4.
Upload images / video files
Limited to 10 media

(MP4, MOV, WEBP, JPEG and PNG, 
file size up to 10MB)

I have read and agree to the terms and collection and use of my personal data.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

All archived stories

Image
心怡儿

陈心怡

China
UNSEO File No.
FFP26-CHN-0019
Share
那一勺糖水的甜,记了二十年

她是@心怡儿 ,这是她关于豆腐花阿婆的味道故事。
菜场门口阿婆卖的凉粉和豆腐花,在酷热天气里,降温最佳。她和家里人常去买上一份,不仅是为了甜甜的宵夜,更是邻里的温暖和默默帮衬的善良。记忆也随着味道一同变得朴实、凉爽,希望所有人,都能早点回家吃饭。

【存档编号】FFP26-CHN-0019
【讲述人】@心怡儿

如果你也有值得被永远存档的味道记忆,
欢迎带话题 #味道记忆档案 发布笔记来投稿!

View full story
Image
简咕咕

李雅

China
UNSEO File No.
FFP26-CHN-0014
Share
「普宁咸豆干焖五花肉」:一块见人客的豆干仔

在我很小的时候,我常跟着我爸去汕头和潮州,因着去探望我的几位姑姑以及堂哥,他们都定居在这两地,既然是去寻亲访友,那自然不能空手而去。

在我爸看来,要去见“人客”(指亲戚、好友、客人的意思),要用心准备礼物,一定不能用最次的东西,也绝对不能用过期的东西,像水果、面线、糖果、鸡鸭、豆酱之类的,一定要新鲜且品质佳的才行。

在九十年代到千禧年后,潮汕人出行仍依赖于大巴车作为交通工具

View full story
Image
一念入心

罗懿

China
UNSEO File No.
FFP26-CHN-0013
Share
忘不了的味道|万年青

小时候,常在外婆家吃到这种饼干,咸咸甜甜的葱油味,让年幼的我很难接受。

生活,不就应该是纯粹的甜,像大白兔奶糖;或者简单的咸,像苏打饼干;又或是冰冰凉凉的,赤豆绿豆刨冰;还有热腾腾的,腌笃鲜,宁波汤团,咸菜冬笋汤。

这种葱香椒盐,总让喜欢甜食的小孩子才尝到一点点甜头,就猝不及防地被咸味击中,在品味这种复杂味道时,又涌上浓郁的错误登场的葱油味。这种饼干,整个就像一场想满足各类人群喜好的春晚

View full story