Judges 2026

We regard our judges as at the heart of the prestige and integrity of the World Food Photography Awards.

We have been honoured over the years that so many great and illustrious international names have given their support, time and expertise. From legendary chefs Alice Waters, Yotam Ottolenghi and Michel Roux Jr to Pat Llewellyn, the producer who discovered Jamie Oliver and changed the face of film and food across the world. From Martin Parr, one of the world’s greatest social documentary photographers to Alison Morley, Chair Emerita, International Center for Photography, NYC - and many more.

Our judges range from photographers and magazine editors, to creative directors and film directors, to food retailers and chefs. All of them are touched by food and photography in their professional life and have many years, even decades, of experience. Each year, the panel is carefully crafted to maintain this incredible wealth of knowledge and experience.

Browse through our online Finalist and Commended galleries to enjoy the stunning, vibrant results this richness and diversity of background produces.

David Loftus, the world’s most published food photographer, is our Chair of Judges.

Tom Athron

Tom Athron

CEO, Fortnum & Mason

Jussi Brofeldt

Jussi Brofeldt

Chairman, Aho & Soldan Photo and Film Foundation, Helsinki, Finland

Thai Dang

Thai Dang

Restaurateur, Chef at Acclaimed HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, Chicago

Arthur Dayras

Arthur Dayras

Head of Marketing, Editor, The Eye of Photography

Federico De Cesare Viola

Federico De Cesare Viola

Editor-in-Chief Food & Wine Italia, Travel & Leisure Italia

Catherine Delaloye

Catherine Delaloye

Managing Director, ProductionParadise.com

Melanie Dunea

Melanie Dunea

Photographer, Author, My Last Supper

Thibault Gagey

Thibault Gagey

Managing Director at Maison Louis Jadot

Liz Galbraith

Liz Galbraith

Freelance Creative Director

Patrick Grabham

Patrick Grabham

Art Editor, Decanter Magazine

Jean-Michel Grand

Jean-Michel Grand

Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen

Michelin Starred Chef and Restaurateur

Sal Henley

Sal Henley

Food Stylist & Consultant

Olia Hercules

Olia Hercules

Activist, Author, Chef

Simon Hill HonFRPS

Simon Hill HonFRPS

President, The Royal Photographic Society

Carrie Hollis-Patel

Carrie Hollis-Patel

Head of unearthed® Marketing

Claire Hyman

Claire Hyman

British Photography, The Hyman Collection

Lily Jones

Lily Jones

Founder, Lily Vanilli Bakery

Gijs Kemmeren

Gijs Kemmeren

Head Chef/Owner, Restaurant Vannu

Ian Kittichai

Ian Kittichai

Chef, Restaurateur, Author and Television Host

Vicky Lau

Vicky Lau

Culinary Entrepreneur and Award-Winning Chef

Helen Lewis

Helen Lewis

Freelance Creative Director

David Loftus

David Loftus

Chair of Judges. One of the world's leading food photographers, known for his work with Jamie Oliver

Ranald Mackechnie

Ranald Mackechnie

Professional Photographer

Kerrie McCallum

Kerrie McCallum

Editor-in-chief, delicious.

Lyndey Milan

Lyndey Milan

Celebrity chef, International Tour Host

George Motz

George Motz

Filmmaker, Writer, TV Host and Hamburger Expert

Laura Muthesius & Nora Eisermann

Laura Muthesius & Nora Eisermann

Photographer & Food Stylist, Our Food Stories

Angela Nicholson

Angela Nicholson

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

Josh and Julie Niland

Josh and Julie Niland

Chef and restaurateur visionaries leading sustainable seafood dining

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver

Chef, Restaurateur and Food Campaigner

Sarah Pither

Sarah Pither

Senior Creative Designer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Derek Poulston

Derek Poulston

Managing Director, Hotel Art Group, Arena Imaging, One Vision Imaging Limited

Michael Pritchard

Michael Pritchard

Curator & Historian, Author of British Photographic History

Claire Rees

Claire Rees

BAFTA Photography Director

Clare Reichenbach

Clare Reichenbach

Chief Executive Officer, The James Beard Foundation

Rich Robinson

Rich Robinson

Head of Creative, M&S Food

Dave Samuels

Dave Samuels

Brand Director Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini

Nik Sharma

Nik Sharma

Multi-award winning Cookbook Author and Photographer, Chef and Molecular Biologist, Columnist

Fiona Shields

Fiona Shields

Head of Photography, Guardian News & Media

Michael Simonetta

Michael Simonetta

Director, Perfection Fresh Australia Pty Ltd

Geetie Singh-Watson MBE

Geetie Singh-Watson MBE

First Organic Publican and sustainability trailblazer across the hospitality industry

Guy Singh-Watson

Guy Singh-Watson

Pioneering British Organic Farmer, Founder of Riverford, Activist

Rein Skullerud

Rein Skullerud

Senior Photographer and Photo Editor, United Nations World Food Programme

Sonia Solicari

Sonia Solicari

Director, Museum of the Home

Vitalie Taittinger

Vitalie Taittinger

President, Champagne Taittinger

Karen Thomas

Karen Thomas

Food Photographer, Director

Katie Thompson

Katie Thompson

MPB, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland

Javier and Sergio Torres

Javier and Sergio Torres

Owners & Chefs Cocina Hermanos Torres

James Verity

James Verity

Creative Director

Ruth Watson

Ruth Watson

President, Guild of Food Writers

Yasia Williams

Yasia Williams

Art Director, Octopus Publishing

Deborah Willis

Deborah Willis

Professor, Chair of Photography, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University

David Zabar

David Zabar

Of the celebrated Zabar family in New York and Photography Collector

Tracey Zabar

Tracey Zabar

Food Writer and Photography Collector

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