A tender image, A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium, by British photographer Jo Kearney, is the Overall Winner of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini, the world’s greatest celebration of food photography.

The image, which first won the Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table category, was taken at the Khoja Obi Garm sanatorium in the mountains of Tajikistan. The colossal concrete complex is built on radon-rich hot springs and dates back to the Soviet era. It remains one of the few such sanatoria still in operation, where guests follow prescribed treatments such as thermal bathing and steam therapy, and are served meals of nourishing food - soups, fruit, tea and traditional Tajik fare - in keeping with the sanatorium’s restorative ethos. With a cost of about £25 per day for board, lodging and treatments, the sanitorium is immensely popular.

British photographer Jo Kearney has been crowned Overall Winner of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini and awarded the prize of £5,000 (GBP) for her tender image ‘A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium’.

“There is so much to see and so much to feel in this image,” says Caroline Kenyon, Founder, World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini. “An old woman pours herself tea - but it’s so much more than just that. The expression on her crevassed face is beautiful, it moved me to tears. She is alone, her simple breakfast on the table before her echoes the fruit in the painting on the wall behind. Against the parched colours of the scene through the window, the rich crimson chairs give a regal quality to the setting, and though humbly dressed, her dignified bearing is queenly too. She has seen much in life, we are sure, but holds her head high."

The winners of the competition’s 27 categories were revealed by renowned chef and food writer Gennaro Contaldo at the Mall Galleries, London, on Tuesday 2 June at an awards evening gathering stars of the food and arts worlds.

This creative capture of a candied pear by Canadian photographer, Anne Mason-Hoerter, was the winner of the Bimi® Prize.

“These Awards highlight the power of photography to tell food stories from around the world,” says Dave Samuels, Brand Director of Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini and headline sponsor of the Awards. “The remarkable images remind us of the essential role food plays in communities across the globe - through growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, celebrating and surviving. Whatever changes the world goes through, food remains central to our lives.”

This year’s global judging panel, tasked with assessing nearly 9,000 entries submitted from over 50 countries around the world, was chaired by legendary food photographer, David Loftus, and included:  Claire Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation, Tom Athron, CEO, Fortnum & Mason, Rein Skullerud, Senior Photographer & Photo Editor, World Food Programme, Jamie Oliver, Chef, Restaurateur and Olia Hercules, Food Campaigner, Activist, Author and Chef.

This dynamic capture of a communal banquet at a food festival in China by Chinese photographer Pingyao Song won the Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration category.

A free-to-enter exhibition of all 203 finalist images will premiere at the Mall Galleries, London, running from Wednesday 3 June to Sunday 7 June. A selection of the images hand-picked by Fortnum & Mason will be displayed at their iconic store on Piccadilly from Tuesday 9 June.

See the online gallery of all the 2026 finalist images HERE

Entries for the 2027 edition of the competition will open later this year in September.

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“At a time when the world feels a fragile place, it’s so good to be taken out of ourselves. These images will take you on a wonderful, whirlwind global tour of joy and fun and storytelling, as well as poignancy and reflection. You will see growing and harvest, feasting and celebration - every way in which food touches our lives and reminds us of our shared humanity,” says the Awards’ Founder, Caroline Kenyon. “Come and see the very best food photography in the world - in London!”

Here’s where and when you can feast on the images:

• Mall Galleries, London: Wednesday 3 June - Sunday 7 June
  An exhibition of all 203 finalist images from the 2026 edition of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® premieres at the Mall Galleries, just a 2 minute walk from Trafalgar Square.
   
  From growing, farming and harvesting, to cooking, eating, celebrating and surviving, this smorgasbord of images tells stories of people around the world through the universal language of food.
  Caution, some images may cause tummy rumbling!
   
  Admission is free. No booking required.
  Please view the Mall Galleries’ exhibition listing for opening times.

Chair of Judges, David Loftus, admiring finalists of the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers at the 2025 Mall Galleries exhibition.

Jessica Miller from Amateur Photographer magazine admiring the finalists of the MPB Award for Innovation category at the 2025 Mall Galleries exhibition.

• Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly: from Tuesday 9 June
  Enjoy a hand-picked selection of finalist images, chosen personally by Fortnum & Mason CEO and member of the Awards’ judging panel, Tom Athron; displayed in the stunning 3'6 bar on the Third Floor of Fortnum’s iconic flagship store on Piccadilly. Feast on the finest food wares and the finest food photography!

Fortnum’s selected 25 images to feature in last year’s exhibition at their stunning 3’6 bar on the Third Floor.

2025 Fortnum’s exhibition featuring Couture Confections by Jonathan Knowles, 2nd, MPB Award for Innovation and The Perfect Lunch by Michela Balboni, 3rd, Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table

Whet your appetite ahead of this year’s exhibitions with a look at the Awards’ 2026 Shortlist.

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We are delighted to announce the 2026 Shortlist of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini is here to entertain, inform and inspire.

Thousands of entries poured in from over 50 countries for this year’s competition, which is regarded as the world’s greatest celebration of food photography. From growing, farming and harvesting to cooking, eating, celebrating and surviving, the images offer a unique insight into the lives of people around the world through the lens of food.

Lemongrass Harvest, Oko Farms, Brooklyn, New York by Valery Rizzo (USA) is shortlisted in the ​​Bring Home the Harvest category. 

Paws and Pastries by Sylvie Pabion Martín (Spain) is shortlisted in the Food Influencer category.

This year’s international judging panel, chaired by legendary food photographer, David Loftus, includes: Claire Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation, Tom Athron, CEO, Fortnum & Mason, Rein Skullerud, Senior Photographer & Photo Editor, World Food Programme, Jamie Oliver, Chef, Restaurateur and Olia Hercules, Food Campaigner, Activist, Author and Chef.

The winners of the 27 categories will be revealed on Tuesday 2nd June at the competition’s Champagne Taittinger Awards Evening in London, hosted by renowned Chef and Food Writer Gennaro Contaldo. The Overall Winner of the competition will take home a prize of £5,000 GBP.

Summer Chocolate Oyster Mushrooms Fans by Kate Ireland (Australia) is shortlisted in M&S Food Rising Star category.

Cook at Phuktal Monastery, Ladakh, India by Gavin Burnett (UK) is shortlisted in The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action category. 

A free-to-enter exhibition of all the 2026 Finalist images will premiere at The Mall Galleries, London, running from Wednesday 3rd June - Sunday 7th June. A selection of the images hand-picked by Fortnum & Mason will be displayed at their iconic store on Piccadilly from Tuesday 9th June.

VIEW THE 2026 SHORTLIST HERE

The post World’s best food photographs of the year – shortlist revealed! appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

Photo of Gennaro Contaldo taken by our Chair of Judges, David Loftus.

We are thrilled to reveal that the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini will be the renowned chef and food writer Gennaro Contaldo.

Gennaro is one of the most beloved ambassadors of authentic Italian cooking. Born on the Amalfi Coast, he built his career in London, becoming a popular television personality and mentor to Jamie Oliver.

An author of numerous bestselling cookbooks and a passionate champion of regional Italian food, Gennaro has spent decades sharing the traditions and stories of Italian cuisine with audiences around the world. His latest cookbook, Hidden Italy, celebrates the rich regional heritage of Italian cooking and the timeless recipes passed down through generations.

“We are thrilled to announce Gennaro as our Master of Ceremonies 2026,” says Caroline Kenyon, Founder of the Awards. “His passion for food, for people, his warmth and infectious joy in life, will make this year’s Awards Evening a truly special occasion.”

The Champagne Taittinger Awards Evening will take place at the prestigious Mall Galleries, London on 2nd June. It will bring together the competition’s finalists, judges, sponsors, plus stars of the food and photography worlds, for an evening of inspiration and celebration.

This will be followed by a free-to-enter exhibition at the Mall Galleries of all finalist images, which will run until Sunday 7th June. A selection of finalist images will then be exhibited at the iconic Fortnum & Mason store on Piccadilly.

The post Gennaro Contaldo to host world’s leading food photography awards ceremony appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

In 2025, Lizzie Mayson won The Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers. This category, introduced in 2021, aims to encourage and celebrate women photographers and is in memory of Claire Aho, Finland’s greatest women photographer.

For our latest blog, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we caught up with Lizzie to learn the story of that captivating winning photograph as well as her words of wisdom for women in photography.

1. Winning the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers is a significant recognition. What did receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally?

It meant a great deal to me, a milestone in not only my career but my life too. Photography isn’t only a career for me, it also feels like a lifestyle at times. As a photographer, even when you’re working in teams on shoots, you can still somehow feel like a lone ranger, you’re making thousands of decisions quietly, in your own head, and you don’t always stop to clock what you’ve built.

Receiving recognition in a room full of peers was really affirming. It was one of those rare moments where you’re forced to pause and actually take it in, and let yourself feel proud. Personally, it felt like a deep exhale. A moment of self-reflection and adoration, and a reminder that the way I see the world does translate to other people.

Professionally, it gave me confidence to keep leaning into the kind of work I’m drawn to: human stories, warmth, and real life. It also felt meaningful that it’s a women’s award, not because I want to be “put in a box”, but because visibility matters. I want younger women looking at this industry to see that there’s space for them, and that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to make strong work.

Lizzie being awarded the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers with Master of Ceremonies, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Fiona Shields, Judge and Head of Photography at The Guardian.

2. Your winning image of Delfina was from your Pasta Grannies project. What drew you to this project and what was Delfina’s particular story?

We have so much to learn from our elders, so a project involving delving into the kitchens of many Nonna’s felt like an honour. There’s something incredibly grounding about being in someone’s home where they’ve made the same recipes for decades. It’s not a set, it’s a life. And with Pasta Grannies it’s never just pasta. It’s heritage, love, survival, ritual, and family.

Delfina really stayed with me. She spends so much time looking after others. She makes so much pasta every week that a local church cooks for homeless people. That alone says everything about her. Her story offers a lot we could all learn from. Selflessness, generosity, belief, and empathy are words that come to mind, and also stamina, honestly. She has this quiet strength that isn’t performative at all. It’s just who she is.

I’m very grateful for that moment and experience. Capturing that kind of truth is why I photograph. And being awarded for sharing Pasta Grannies’ stories is rewarding in itself. I’m grateful to have shared her story, and I hope the image carries even a fraction of what it felt like to be there with her.

Lizze’s photograph of Delfina from her Past Grannies project won the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers in 2025.

3. The women you photograph for Pasta Grannies are often working within private, personal spaces. How do you build trust and create an atmosphere where such authentic moments can unfold naturally?

This project is a testament to collaboration, teamwork, and capturing the moment. I can’t take full credit, Livia De Giovanni translated Italian for me, and that changes everything because it means you’re not guessing. You’re genuinely connecting. When someone feels understood, they relax. You’re also being respectful in a very practical way. You’re in someone’s home, in their personal space, and you have to treat that with care.

I also think older generations often aren’t as self-aware as younger generations. They’re not constantly monitoring how they look or how they’re coming across, so they act naturally without consciously trying. There’s a purity to that. They’re busy doing.

But I never rely on that alone. I try to enter gently. Small crew, calm energy, minimal fuss. I’m always watching for the moment someone seems unsure, and then I slow right down. Outside of this project, I normally converse with a subject before taking out the camera. I try to connect with them, put them at ease, smile, and make them feel fantastic. I want people to feel like themselves, not like they’re being shot. Often the trust comes from letting them lead. Letting them show you how they do it, letting them be proud of their hands, their kitchen, their way.

4. Food photography can sometimes feel highly styled or commercial, yet your work feels deeply human and grounded. How do you balance aesthetics with authenticity in your storytelling?

There is absolutely a place for highly stylised photography, and I love it when it’s done brilliantly. But I have always naturally been drawn to recreating more believable scenes. Images that still feel elevated, but could genuinely exist.

Balancing aesthetics and authenticity can be tricky. For me it comes down to intention. I’ll always ask myself whether this item should be there and why. Is it part of the person’s real world, or is it being placed because it looks nice? If it’s the second one, it usually goes. I want the styling to feel like it belongs to the story, not like it’s competing with it.

I’ll still shape the frame. Light, composition, small adjustments, maybe moving something slightly so it reads better. But I try not to polish the life out of it. The best images, in my opinion, hold both. They’re visually satisfying, but they still have breath in them. You can feel a person behind the food, not just a product.

5. On International Women’s Day, conversations often turn to visibility and opportunity. What barriers have you encountered as a woman in photography, and what changes would you still like to see in the industry?

Honestly, I am lucky to have been championed by men very early in my career and by women later on. I have always felt empowered to do anything without my sex causing restrictions or difficulties. My strong father, Charles, instilled this message among us three women in our household and he continues to do so with the grandchildren; going so far as to publish a women’s empowerment book to further instill this message.

That upbringing created a second nature in me that doesn’t let my sex detract from my professional path, or make me question my abilities in any facet of my life. I know that’s not everyone’s experience, so I never take it for granted. Even when I haven’t personally felt blocked, I’m very aware the industry can still be uneven. Who gets offered what, who gets paid what, whose leadership is assumed, who is expected to be easy, who is expected to be grateful. I’d love to see more transparency, more equal access, and more women in positions of commissioning power, not just being commissioned.

I really encourage young women to lean into self-empowerment and self-belief. I try to do the same for the younger generations by supporting, encouraging developing ideas, lending equipment, and most recently collaborating with universities to encourage and develop the new wave of talent coming into the industry. If we want change, we have to actively make space and pass things forward.

6. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a career in photography?

Assist! Assist! Assist!, until you can’t do it anymore or when you really feel you have learnt all you can. Assisting teaches you how shoots actually run. The pace, the politics, the lighting, the client dynamic, the problem-solving. It also teaches you what kind of photographer you want to be, and what kind you don’t.

Collaborate too. Find others at similar stages, experiment, try to make work that stands out, be provocative with your work, and push the envelope. Don’t be disheartened when you don’t like the outcome.

"Throw your hat over the wall and keep scrambling after it."  (My father Charles Mayson's classic phrase would always ring out in my mind when taking risks)

The bad shoots are still data. You’re building taste and resilience, and both matter.

And a practical one. Take yourself seriously early. Protect your energy, learn to price properly, put boundaries around your time, and don’t wait for permission to start making the work you want to be hired for. Make your personal projects, and make them with heart, because the work that changes your career usually starts with you, not with a brief.

Enjoy here a browse of all the previous finalists of the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers

The post Celebrating Women in Photography – Lizzie Mayson appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

We caught up with Victoria to talk about the parallels between education and photography, the challenges and possibilities of AI, her favourite images from the Student Food Photographer of the Year category, and why competitions like this can be truly transformative for emerging photographers.

1.     You come from a background of education and leadership. How does the world of photography compare?

My immediate reaction was to reflect on how different they are, but actually my roles as a leader in education and now as a leader in photography are very similar, and it is all about learning.  Schools are there to educate our young people, to prepare them for the future and to inspire a love of learning.  At the RPS our charitable objective is to educate the public, promote high standards, and encourage appreciation of photography.  The RPS is here to inspire all photographers (regardless of their experience or equipment) to try new things, to grow as a photographer, to stretch themselves and ultimately to develop a love of learning.

2.     AI is a huge topic of discussion in photography. Do you see it as a threat or an opportunity to photography? 

AI is both an opportunity and a threat and we mustn’t let the threat stop us from exploring the opportunities.  Our role at the RPS is to support and guide our members through the challenges and threats of AI, however our role is also to show our members the incredible possibilities of AI.  How it can be used in so many innovative and creative ways, help make photography more accessible and can really push photographers to redefine what is possible.

3.     What are your favourite previous finalist images of the RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year category and why?

Cowculating by Raquel Rodrigues, Highly Commended, RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year, 2025

a) It reminds me of my grandparents (they were cattle farmers) but b) it is really important to educate children as to where our food comes from

Carnal Supper by Chloe Dann, Winner, RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year, 2019

Bonkers, creative, made me laugh out loud but also made me think about the greed (& food waste) in society today.

On Edge by Sarah Cherry, 2nd, RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year, 2021

Still life – beautiful and so sharp, how long did it take to stand the limes up (or were they glued down?!)

4.   The RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year is free to enter. Why do you think it’s important students take opportunities such as this as part of their photography journey?

Opportunities like this give students a real-world platform to showcase their work, build confidence, and receive invaluable exposure. Entering competitions like this also encourage experimentation, feedback, and learning beyond the classroom.  Invaluable skills for when they leave education and start to make their way in the world of photography.

5. In addition to an RPS membership and an interview published by the RPS Journal, the winner of the RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year gets the unique opportunity to have a 60-minute one-to-one Zoom meeting with Commercial Photography Consultant and Mentor, Zoe Whishaw. The meeting includes website review, analysis of creative direction, as well as options and ideas to take a career forward. How transformative can guidance from an experienced professional be for a student at this stage?

Guidance from an experienced professional at this stage can be genuinely transformative; offering clarity, confidence, a different perspective and guidance at a pivotal point in a student’s development.  Receiving personalised feedback from someone who is not their regular teacher or tutor can be very impactful and Zoe’s 30+ years of experience will be so invaluable – what an opportunity!

If you, or someone you know, are studying photography, do consider entering our RPS Student Food Photographer of the Year category. It’s free-to-enter, so there’s nothing to lose! See previous finalists and find out more here.

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From birthday cakes adorned with candles to elaborate wedding feasts, from traditional Christmas fare to the vibrant dishes of religious festivals, food is a universal language of celebration. Food does more than nourish the body; it feeds our sense of connection, community and tradition, and marks our special occasions through flavour, colour and love.

Through this blog, with a selection of images from the archives of our Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration category and Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer category, you can explore the diverse and delicious ways people around the world use food to honour life’s most meaningful moments.

Banh Hoi Cake by Hoai Anh Dang, Winner, 2025

Banh Hoi is a specialty dish in Vietnam found in many places such as Binh Thuan, Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Phu Yen, Nha Trang and Binh Dinh. The cake is made from rice flour and has an elaborate and meticulous preparation process. Banh hoi is often eaten with scallion oil, roasted meat, grilled meat and pork offal. This is an indispensable dish in holidays, death anniversaries, weddings and ceremonies at communal houses and pagodas of the people. It is a culinary culture of the locality.

Cross Made of Honey Jars - Beekeepers’ Day in Bulgaria by Radoslav Sviretsov, Highly Commended, 2025

On February 10, Christians honour St. Charalampius - the patron saint of honey and beekeepers. In Blagoevgrad, there is a tradition for laypeople to leave a jar of honey on a table in the shape of a cross with the name of a loved one on it. I had been dreaming of seeing this extraordinary tradition with my own eyes for years and finally had the opportunity. The dimmed atmosphere, the singing of the choir and the smell of candles made everything even more mystical and beautiful.

Shab-e-Barat Bread by Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, Commended, 2025

Artisanal bread, crafted in intricate designs and various sizes, known as Nakshi or fancy bread, is being prepared at a traditional bakery in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. On the eve of Holy Shab-e-Barat, a significant observance for Muslims, bakers work meticulously to create these special loaves, rich in cultural and religious significance.

A tuna feast by Marina Spironetti, Commended, 2025

This photo was captured in Crikvenica, a seaside town on Croatia’s Kvarner Bay during ‘Mjesec Plave Ribe’, meaning ‘Month of Oily Fish.’ It’s a food-and-culture festival, usually held once a year, celebrating oily fish.

Here, Sushi master Nobuhito Okada is showing the head of a 110-kg Adriatic bluefin tuna before processing the fish in front of a wide-eyed crowd and turning it into gastronomic delicacies.

Dong Village Banquet in the Rain by Shaolong Su, Commended, 2025

China is a multi-ethnic country, and the Dong ethnic group is mainly distributed in provinces such as Guizhou. This ethnic group has many traditional festivals, where people sing and dance, bless each other, and exchange happiness and beauty in life through long table banquets, like the one captured here.

Praying with Food by Noor Ahmed Gelal, 1st, 2018

A section of the Hindu community is preparing to break the day-long fast in one of the local temples at Swamibag, Dhaka, Bangladesh. They believe their fasting will redeem their sins.

Eve of Christmas in Poland by Emilia Konkol-Pastuszak, 2018

Christmas Eve in Poland begins with a serving of red borscht with sourdough and dumplings. It's a very touching moment, full of wishes and silence. One place at the table is left for stray wanderers and relatives who passed away.

Wedding Sugars by Weining Lin, 2nd, 2022

The host family prepared a full plate of wedding sugars for the guests, so that everyone could share the family's happiness. Everyone is laughing and the room is filled with happiness.

Hooey’s Birthday by Lisa Flood, Highly Commended, 2023

Silver-dapple miniature horse Hooey celebrates his 19th birthday in Wilson, Wyoming cabin with sisters Macy Jane, 7, and Maeve, 9, and poodle El Diablo Blanco. Wearing Easter dresses and cowboy boots, the girls rode their pony inside and outside and the party concluded with a carrot cake which was enjoyed by all.

Fasting Celebration by Azim Khan Ronnie, 2nd, 2020

Devotees attend prayer with burning incense and light oil lamps before breaking their fast during a religious festival called Rakher Upobash in Narayanganj, Bangladesh. Bengali people of the Hindu faith in Bangladesh sit in prayer celebrating the 18th century Hindu Saint Baba Lokenath with a 'Rakher Upobas' prayer and a fast day. Every year thousands of Hindu devotees gather in front of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram temple.

Blessed by the Rebbe by Andy Aitchison, 3rd, 2018

The Orthodox Jewish festival of Tu Bishvat is celebrated as the New Year of Trees with a symbolic eating of different varieties of fruit. In a Stamford Hill synagogue the Chassidic Skver Rebbe, visiting from New York, blesses the fruit in front of the entire synagogue.

Chocolate and the Bride by Subrata Dey, Highly Commended, 2021

Brides need snacks on their wedding day - and you can match your snack to your outfit too.

Pig Feast of Dani Tribe by Sanghamitra Sarkar, 2019

The Dani are an ethnic group from the Central Highlands of Western New Guinea in Baliem Valley, Highland Papua, Indonesia. They mark celebrations with Pig feasts. Women heat stones in a fire over a pit, until they are extremely hot, then cuts of meat and pieces of sweet potato or banana are wrapped inside banana leaves and lowered into the pit. The remaining hot stones are placed on top and the pit is covered in grass and a cover to keep steam in.

Making Together by K M Asad, 2020

Muslims prepare a feast before the Friday prayer in a field close to the congregation ground during the first day of the three-day long Muslim Congregation, Biswa Ijtema, at Tongi near Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Many a Slip by John Armstrong-Millar, 1st, 2021

The cake-cutting ceremony is an important part of wedding proceedings. But it doesn’t always go to plan…

Happy Birthday by Li Huaifeng, 1st, 2021

An intimate birthday celebration in Licheng in the Shanxi province of China.

Venetian Opulence by Marina Spironetti, Highly Commended, 2020

The Carnival of Venice, or Carnevale di Venezia, is a historic festival dating back to the 12th century, known for its elaborate masks, stunning costumes, and vibrant parades. Originally, the Carnival was a time when social classes blended, and people, regardless of status, could mingle and celebrate anonymously behind masks. Over time, this anonymity became central to the celebration, allowing Venetians to set aside societal norms and indulge in festivities freely.

People dress up in elaborate, often historical, costumes and ornate masks to recreate this sense of mystery and luxury that defines Venetian tradition. Here, a couple in their costumes enjoy lunch at the famous Cafe Florian.

Food For More Light by Kazi Golam Quddus Helal, 3rd, 2019

This is one of the annual prayer programs for some Hindu people. In the dawn and in the evening, worshippers get together, take a holy bath, sacrifice holy food to the God of the day and pray to the God for peace and prosperity. Women worshippers begin their fast after the bathing prayer.

Grand Aoili by Susan Bell, 2nd, 2019

Food writer Caroline Craig and her grandfather setting up for a 'Grand Aoili' in the family olive grove, Provence.

'Grand Aoili' is a traditional Provençal meal centred around a generous serving of aïoli—a garlicky, homemade mayonnaise-like sauce made from garlic, egg yolks, olive oil, and sometimes a hint of lemon. The dish is celebrated in southern France as a communal, festive meal, where the aïoli serves as the centrepiece for dipping an array of accompanying foods.

Red Bean Paste Balls by Zhonghua Yang, Overall Winner, 2024

In the rural area of Xiangshan, Zhejiang people are busy with preparations for a feast to celebrate Spring Festival, also known as Lunar New Year. This includes the tradition of making dim sum, such as red bean dumplings, steamed rice cakes and glutinous rice cake, each of which has a legacy of traditional craftsmanship.

Happy Birthday by Karolina Krasuska, 3rd, 2022

Birthdays are for businesses too! Celebrating 35 years of Larkins Brewery in Chiddingstone, Kent with owner Bob Dockerty.

Dinner with the King and Queen by Jonas Borg, 1st, 2023

‘Sverigemiddagen’, the Dinner of Sweden, is an annual event held at the Royal Castle in Stockholm. The Dinner celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their local communities. Invited guests are honoured for their achievements and are hosted by the King and Queen of Sweden at a grand dinner.

Cauldron Noodles by Jianhui Liao, Overall Winner, 2019

Every year from the first to eighteenth day of the Lunar calendar, villagers of Hebei Province, China wear Qing Dynasty costumes to celebrate Nvwa's birthday and eat big pots of noodles at noon.

Kulasai Dasara by Udayan Sankar Pal, Highly Commended, 2024

Kulasai Dasara is a yearly festival that happens in October at Tamilnadu in India. The festival is centred around the goddess Mutharamman and is celebrated with intense devotion, folk performances and dramatic costumes.

The festival includes traditional South Indian dishes that are often simple yet significant, aligning with the spirit of devotion. Many devotees observe fasting or partake in vegetarian meals, consuming offerings made of rice, dal, and coconut.

Orthodox Easter: Blessing of the Loaves by Ari Kellerman, 2nd, 2024

An Easter blessing in the northernmost region of Romania, Maramures. Time stands still in this rural village along the Ukrainian border. The town elder and parish priest prays over the communal food in their 18th century wooden church. Only remnants remain of the wall to wall iconography but a light exists here.

A Big Pot of Mutton by Liu Min, Highly Commended, 2024

Taken in Huan County, Qingyang City, Gansu Province. “When I went to photograph the opening ceremony of a tourist attraction, I noticed a large pot about 4 metres in diameter with steaming lamb cooking in it,” says Liu Min. “It made my mouth water, and I immediately captured it.”

Special Food for the Couple by Sohel Ahmed, 3rd, 2021

In Bangladesh, it is a tradition to serve a full cooked goat on the husband’s table on his wedding day and the groom, along with everyone else, sharee the food together to celebrate.

Let them eat cake! By Lynne Kennedy, 1st, 2024

Lucy, Tony and their children made the long journey from Kent to the Isle of Skye to get married. They didn't want to transport a traditional wedding cake all that way, so their cakemaker produced these fabulous little 'cakes in containers' for them. We found a spot by the historical Sligachan Bridge and they tucked in!

Christmas goose by Lukasz Smudzinski, Highly Commended, 2014

At Christmas, traditional foods vary widely by country, culture, and family, but turkey and goose are two classic choices, especially in Western traditions.

Wedding Feast by Karolina Wiercigroch, Highly Commended, 2020

A typical wedding feast at an Uzbek wedding in Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan. Guests gather around a cloth or rug called dastorkon to share a celebratory meal. There's shorpo (lamb broth), plov with lamb and lots of fruit, sweets and bread. Part of the celebration is held separately for men and women.

Traditional Skill by Ying Chen, 1st, 2022

A family gathers together in a small farmhouse in China for the cherished tradition of making dumplings for New Year celebrations. Dumplings, shaped similarly to ancient Chinese gold ingots, represent prosperity and financial success for the coming year. The act of making and eating dumplings with family also emphasises unity and strengthens family bonds, which is highly valued in the culture.

In some regions, including the one in Ying Chen’s photograph, a wooden seal is used to stamp characters meaning "fortune" "good luck" or "happiness" onto the dough. The dough is red, a colour associated with luck and protection in Chinese culture, to add to the auspicious nature of the dumplings, making them powerful symbols of hope and prosperity for the coming year.

Have you taken a photograph of a food aspect of a celebratory occasion? Enter our Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration category or Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer category if it’s a wedding related image.

The post How we celebrate with food around the world – in pictures appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

This wouldn’t be possible without our prestigious judging panel; we regard our judges as at the heart of the prestige and integrity of the Awards. Our panel, chaired by David Loftus - the world’s most published food photographer, is carefully crafted to maintain an outstanding wealth of knowledge and experience. It ranges from photographers and magazine editors, to food retailers and chefs, to creative directors and art consultants, and is pulled from all corners of the globe. All of the panel are touched by food and photography in their professional life and have many years, even decades, of experience.

We have been honoured over the years that so many great and illustrious names have given us their support, time and expertise. To assist you in your quest for competition success, we asked some of them to share what they look for when judging.

Our Judges' Top Tips

George Matthew,
Founder & Lead Photographer, Grey Image

What are you looking for in an image when judging?

When judging photography, I am looking for images that tell a story about origin, craft, and context. Light, composition, and styling must feel intentional and appropriate to the subject. While technical skill is important, it should never overpower the narrative. I look for the thoughtful use of light to reveal texture, styling that enhances rather than distracts, and composition that directs the viewer’s attention to the intended story. My top tip is to focus on the narrative, ask yourself what the image is really about, and remove anything that doesn’t support that central idea.

My 3 favorite images from last year are…

1. Coffee Break in the Hungarian Plains by Michela Balboni, 2nd, World of Drinks:

This image is a beautiful example of atmospheric storytelling and lighting. The photographer has effectively used a "frame-within-a-frame" composition, utilizing the window to draw the viewer’s eye directly to the subject. The use of natural window light creates high contrast that sculpts the man’s face and crucially backlights the steam rising from the glass. That wisp of steam breathes life into the static scene, suggesting a fresh, hot drink and a fleeting moment of peace. The color palette is also harmonious, the deep blues of the man's clothing complement the dark greens of the window frame and the rustic interior tones.

2. Farmers Bringing the Agave Back Home by Pieter D'Hoop, Shortlisted, Bring Home the Harvest:

This photograph succeeds through dynamic tension and scale. It captures a decisive moment of physical labor, showing the effort required to move the massive agave heart. The composition is excellent because it balances the human element against the natural one, the body language of the workers visibly demonstrates the weight and resistance of the object. The photographer also layered the image well, with the agave leaves in the foreground providing texture and depth, the action in the mid-ground, and the mountains in the background providing context. It feels immersive, putting the viewer right in the dirt with the workers.

3. Put All Your Pasta In One Basket by Costas Millas:

For me, this image is all about texture and conceptual creativity. It transforms an everyday ingredient into a piece of complex visual art. The lighting is perfectly positioned to cast tiny shadows between the strands, emphasizing the shape and dimensionality of the pasta. What makes the composition particularly engaging is the transition, the top half displays a disciplined tight geometric weave, while the bottom allows the strands to unravel organically.

Liz Galbraith,
Freelance Creative Director

What are you looking for in an image when judging?

1. I either need to understand immediately what it’s a picture of or it needs to be so striking and intriguing I want to look into it to discover more.

2. The lighting and colour balance have to work to tell the story and craft an image that’s a complete narrative.

3. I’m a stickler for composition, this needs to be tight. No more and no less than is necessary. Every pixel counts.

4. The food should look delicious.

5. Beware of current ‘fashion gimmicks’ in food photography.

6. The entire image needs to be beautiful and convincing, I need to believe it. This doesn’t mean that difficult issues can’t be tackled but all images must be well composed, well lit and well put together irrespective of their subject matter.

Rein Skullerud,
Senior Photographer and Photo Editor, United Nations World Food Programme

Since becoming head of WFP's Photography Unit in 1999, Rein SKullerud has travelled the world documenting WFP’s life-changing work responding to humanitarian emergencies and helping the world’s poorest build a future free from hunger. Rein’s work tells the story of the world’s hungry through images, capturing their dignity and perseverance as they struggle for a better life. Over the years, his photographs have been published in several international publications including TIME Magazine, Der Spiegel, the Economist, the Guardian and the BBC online. 

What are the most important things you look for when judging?

“To me three elements are most important to me when judging a photo and these are; the emotion the image gives me, the story the single frame tells and last but not least the skill the photographer has applied to produce the image.”

What was one of your favourite finalist images?

“I still believe that the 2019 winning photo is an excellent piece of work because it touches on all three elements listed above.”

Yasia Williams,
Art Director, Octopus Publishing

What are the most important things you look for when judging?

“The three things I’m looking for are:
Originality – I want to see something I’ve never seen before or a familiar image but seeing it photographed from a new and exciting perspective.

The Wow Factor – an image that instantly makes you want to know more about it and continue to look at it.

Feeling – a picture that stirs emotion.’’

What was one of your favourite finalist images?

“My favourite from 2019, which had all three, was the winner of Food for Celebration.”

Angela Nicholson,
Co-Founder & Director at Camera Jabber, Founder of SheClicks

What are the most important things you look for when judging?

I'm always looking for subjects being photographed in new and exciting ways. The way light is used in a photograph is crucial - it can either elevate the image to new heights or diminish its impact. However, what truly captivates me is the narrative conveyed through the image. This can range from a simple yet intriguing mix of ingredients that makes me want to head into the kitchen to get cooking to more profound themes like issues behind food production or ethical considerations. These elements combine to create a compelling and thought-provoking visual story.

Helen Lewis,
Freelance Creative Director

Judging for the World Food Photography Awards is such a joy. The range of images that are entered each year is huge, not only in the subject matter but in the global reach of all the photographers and food stylists who enter.

As a publisher/Art Director I am looking for images that are technically excellent but also that provoke an emotional response in me, whether that be a feeling of surprise, joy or melancholy. I like to be be engaged by not only the obvious things like the subject matter and the composition but also by their depiction of texture and colour. The images need to feel they have longevity and continuing interest for the viewer. The photographs have to tell a story and to repay a repeat viewing. If they don’t deliver a further response on subsequent viewings then I won’t select them.

Leanne Bracey,
Freelance Picture Editor, Waitrose Weekend

What images stand out to you when judging?

I look for a sense of "completeness," where all elements - shapes, colours, light, and composition - come together to create a unique image with a distinct point of view. A well-thought-out and expertly composed image is a unique skill that often holds the most power, requiring the photographer to display true expertise beyond a "point and shoot" approach.

The Hotel Art Group Food Stylist Award is also important to me, as I believe food stylists are key to making an image sing. For this category, I look beyond the photograph itself and focus on the skill displayed in preparing the food. Florencia Aguileria Toya's "Candy Burger" shot, for example, beautifully showcased the stylist's talent.

What was one of your favourite finalist images from last year?

My favorite categories to judge are ‘Bring Home the Harvest’ and ‘Food in the Field’ as I have a particular interest in travel photography that encompasses food. These entries offer an interesting and varied appreciation of life across the planet. The most successful images often include an element of movement.

Carp fishing before Christmas by Zdeněk Dvořák, Highly Commended, Bring Home the Harvest, 2025

For me, Zdeněk Dvořák's ‘Carp fishing before Christmas’ image truly encapsulated a moment. It used wonderful lighting to convey a sense of time and utilised the drama out on the water, looking back to the shore, to provide a unique perspective.

Skye Trayler,
Director, At Collective

What are the most important things you look for when judging?

Obviously I'm looking for stand out photography, that's a given. But what's super important for these awards and others, to me at least, is that the image accurately responds to the category description. I’m a Commercial Photography Agent, so I'm particularly interested in signing and working with photographers who can shoot to brief. This means taking the time to truly understand what's being asked of them, often calling on their knowledge and experience to build upon that ask, helping to push the idea even further and ultimately contribute to the success of the campaign. Considered and accurate placement of an image makes a big difference.

What was one of your favourite finalist images?

I really enjoyed the Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer category last year. Wedding photography has come a long way since the formal days of old. These days, people are looking for candid, captured moments and authentic realism - which I think is reflective of what we’re looking for in photography in general. It’s about images we can trust, so that when it evokes a feeling or a memory, you know it’s a real one.

Robin Goodlad’s humorous Seagull and Chips deserved its prize because it demonstrates wedding photography at its best - i.e. telling the whole story of a wedding, filling in the gaps on a day that can pass too quickly, turning a lens on moments that would otherwise go unnoticed and be lost forever. This way, the married couple can experience their day through their guests’ eyes, enabling them to relive out the day, time and time again.

Discover More...

Learn more about our illustrious panel and discover our previous finalist images.

You can find full competition details and how to enter here.

The post How to Win – Judges’ Top Tips appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

Words by Caroline Kenyon

After all the New Year’s resolutions - more exercise, less indulgence, more efficiency, less procrastination - something very special to look forward to in the early part of the year is the World Food Photography Awards shortlisting week.

While I may not have the encyclopaedic visual memory of our colleague Kathleen, I can recall many images submitted over the last 15 years, having been privileged to be involved in the shortlisting process from our very first Awards back in 2012.

The week is intense, exciting, demanding. Every morning, we start the day wondering what we are going to see, how we will be challenged visually, emotionally and intellectually. Will decisions be unanimous or conflicted? Will we feel happy that the category shortlists have not left out any worthy contenders? Or shall we be mourning the loss of some we should have loved to have put through but there were just too many? That really hurts as we know how much it means to entrants to be shortlisted. Nonetheless, with our amazing judges, we always come to a point where we know the shortlist is right, and that we are all willing to champion each image as outstanding in its own way.

Here are some that have lingered in my mind since last year.

Vienna Street Food by Florence Wibowo, MPB Award for Innovation

What a cool card this man is in his magenta striped socks and shiny loafers with heels. Surrounded by sticky detritus - cans, packaging, bottles, half eaten food - this image tells a story of riotous pleasure, perhaps a little sinister. We can’t see his face and what was in those bottles? His trousers look as if they belong to a smart suit. Is he a businessman who has overdone it after a hard day at work? A resonant, witty, and slightly unsettling shot of a fleeting moment.

Homegrown Tomatoes: Greenhouse Magic by Giedre Barauskiene, Food in the Field

This is such a simple and beautiful shot. All it shows is some tomato plants. But it is exquisitely framed and lit, the fruit, the leaves, the cobwebs, light and shadow all make for a calming and compelling image, which draws one in and soothes.

Fishermen unload the fish from the boat’s hull by Kidsadakon Sukmool, Bring Home the Harvest

This tightly framed photo cleverly captures the claustrophobic hull of the aged, rickety fishing boat. The fisherman crouches uncomfortably in the tiny space, handing the haul up to his colleague. His muscles strain under the weight of the huge fish, the walls of the cavity are brilliant with patches of blood red paint. This is punishing work, doubtless for small return, captured in a jewel bright image.

The Recipe of Memories - Nourishing Roots in Emigration by Anna Federova, Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers

There is a beautifully still quality to this image, the little girl plays just round the corner from her mother, who is cooking in a bleak kitchen, there is no adornment. But there is comfort in the proximity of the mother and child. The mother busies herself cooking food from her home country, the act of doing so comforts her. It is a lovely narrative shot.

Restoration of the Five Senses by Remko Kraaijeveld, Cream of the Crop

This is a lovely, joyful shot. The Brussels sprout chandelier hangs elegantly in the middle of the image, while two enormous kale parasols nestle on one side of the floor, while a carefully balanced display of squashes and artichokes on a wooden churn stands on the other side. A sprinkling of flower heads on the floor flows outwards. The lighting is clear but gentle, this is a perfect celebration of produce.

Check out the 2025 Shortlist and 2025 Finalists. Entries to this year’s Awards close on 8 February, so do please share your images with us before then. Take a look at our categories to find which ones suit your work. Good luck!

The post What stands out in the shortlist appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.

Tall stacks of vegetables, neatly bundled produce and carefully arranged staples reveal the resourcefulness and character of vendors across the globe - and all vividly told in this selection of images from the archive of the unearthed® Food for Sale category…

Market Scooter by Antonia Deutsch, Highly Commended, 2018

A vegetable market on wheels. Making use of every inch of the motorbike to display produce. Taken in Hespaw Town, Myanmar.

Mountainside fruit stall in Sikkim, Northern India by Hamish Scott Brown, Shortlisted, 2019

A Sikkim lady sells her garden vegetables on a mountainside stall above Darjeeling in Northern Sikkim

Side Street Hanoi by David Cotsworth, Shortlisted, 2024

A vibrant one-stop shop on two wheels in Hanoi, Vietnam

Burden over head by Dheeraj Paul, Shortlisted, 2022

An old woman carries a heavy load of dried bottle gourd over her head to market for selling.

Fish selling by Md Mahabub Hossain Khan, Winner, 2023

Naya Bazaar is one of the oldest weekly fish markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It sells rare and expensive species of fish that cannot usually be seen in other markets.

Shop on Two Wheels by Drina Cabral-Schramm, Highly Commended, 2017

A Moroccan tradesman selling freshly-cut herbs that have been heavily piled onto the back of his little 2-wheeler.

M Yousuf Tushar, Cock Hawker, Highly Commended, 2019

The cock hawker sells cocks around Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Cabbage full of Car by Piers Golden, Shortlisted, 2016

Roadside cabbage seller and his bumper crop of cabbage.

Floating market Bangkok, Thailand by Tracy Smith, Shortlisted, 2023

Thirsty Santas by Simon-James Smith, Shortlisted, 2020

Father Christmas needs refreshments too! This image captures three Santas queuing for a drink just before the 2019 Santa Dash at Brockwell Park in South London. The Santa Dash is a festive fun run where all participants dress up as Father Christmas.

Street Vendor by Joseph Smith, Winner, 2021

Prams aren’t just for babies. A lady sells capers and other delicacies from her old pram on the streets of Marsaxlokk, a fishing village in Malta

The Fruit Van by Verity Walcott, Shortlisted, 2023

The Fruit Seller (Cartagena, Colombia) by John Armstrong-Millar, Highly Commended, 2014

Cabbages for Sale by Tim Clinch, 3rd, 2023

Cabbages for sale on a rainy winter's day in Merdanya, Bulgaria

Taking Pineapples to the Market for Sale by Moniruzzaman Sazal, Highly Commended, 2018

People from the village transport pineapples to the nearby market for sale.

Mexico City Street by Guillaume Flandre, Highly Commended, 2022

Street food is omnipresent in Mexico, and this picture represents just that. Just about any nondescript street corner of Mexico City has its food cart. I happened to be on the rooftop of a nearby art gallery when I noticed how the light drew attention to this cart.

Township Egg Shop by Richard Humphries, 2021

A man peers out from his egg shop in the South African township of Diepsloot, just north of Johannesburg.

Old lady vendor by Mohammed Rimon, 2023

Tea at all altitudes! An old lady sells various products from her mobile tea truck.

Coconuts on a bike by Katya Willems, Commended, 2018

Katya says, “I immediately wanted to photograph this guy in Galle in Sri Lanka as soon as I saw him. He was full of character, as was the policeman. It felt like a typically colourful and fun slice of Sri Lankan life.”

Evening Banana by Marc Ehrenbold, Shortlisted, 2024

Beach Doughnuts Barcelona by Kirsten Jenkins, Shortlisted, 2020

Kirsten says, “Playing a musical triangle, singing and juggling; one part entertainer 2 parts moveable food stall. Surprisingly in the summer heat on Barcelona beach the doughnuts were as good as his performance.”

Man selling fruit and veg in Sorrento, Italy by Jo Hunt, 2019

If you’ve enjoyed this glimpse of the vibrant world of food sellers, there’s so much more to discover! Visit the unearthed® Food for Sale page to explore our full archive of photos. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration for your own photography too?

The post Weird and wonderful food stalls around the globe: from prams to pushcarts appeared first on World Food Photography Awards.