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A selection of winning images from this year’s World Food Photography awards sponsored by Tenderstem. The photographs offer insights into the lives of people around the world through the lens of food, from growing, farming and harvesting to cooking, eating, celebrating and surviving
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A free exhibition of all 203 finalist images is at the Mall Galleries, London, from Wednesday 3 June to Sunday 7 June
Wed 3 Jun 2026 07.00 BSTLast modified on Wed 3 Jun 2026 09.49 BST
The Festival of Food Enthusiasts by Pingyao Song – Champagne Taittinger food for celebration category
‘At the gourmet festival organised by China’s Zouchuan Hotpot brand, hundreds of food enthusiasts gather around a communal banquet. The rich aroma of red broth – simmered with chilli peppers, fermented bean paste, beef tallow, Sichuan peppercorn, ginger, sugar, salt, soy sauce and spices – fills the air. Participants savour fresh ingredients, such as beef, tripe, luncheon meat and tofu, or lift their phones to livestream, focusing on the bubbling pot.’Photograph: Pingyao Song
Candied Pear by Anne Mason-Hoerter – the Bimi prize
‘I wanted to create a unique image of candied fruit, and I have always been fascinated by the transparency of colours revealed through the process. I began by slicing a pear very thinly and boiling the slices in a mixture of sugar and water. Once the slices became transparent, I laid them out to dry on paper. The image was created using sugar water and a pear slice placed on a glass sheet, along with coloured plastic in front of a table lamp. I photographed the setup multiple times from different angles, and finally I used Photoshop to combine the various images.’Photograph: Anne Mason-Hoerter
Proven Recipe by Balázs Lehóczki – Philip Harben award for food in action
‘I had planned this image for six to seven years but kept postponing it, feeling unworthy of capturing them. Now, because of their age, I couldn’t wait. Grandma went to the hairdresser, Grandpa shaved, and I filled their kitchen with studio gear. When she saw the photograph, my grandmother called me an artist.’Photograph: Balázs Lehóczki
Chhath Puja Offerings by Indigo Larmour – Jamie Oliver youth prize 13-17
‘During Chhath Puja, food offerings are held by devotees, who stand in bodies of water as they pray to the sun god, Surya. This Puja is predominantly performed by women, and is always vibrant and colourful, particularly when observed in a rural setting, such as this in West Bengal, India.’Photograph: Indigo Larmour
In the Depths of the Deposit by Juan Miguel Ortuño Martinez – Louis Jadot wine photographer of the year (people)
‘During the cleaning of the underground tanks, Pedro goes down and cleans the walls and floor of the remains of the previous wine with pressurised water. Once clean, his partner lowers a small bucket with a sponge inside to collect the remains that are left in the lower corner.’Photograph: Juan Miguel Ortuño Martinez
The Open Air Hotel by Mithail Afrige Chowdhury – World Food Programme food for life category
‘An open-air restaurant owner serves food to her customers. She sells at a low price so that daily labourers who work at Gabtoli coal station can afford it. The photograph was taken in Dhaka, Bangladesh.’Photograph: Mithail Afrige Chowdhury
The Final Touch by Michela Balboni – food for the family category
’Little Asilbek touching the hot bread, straight out of the family tandoor. In Samarkand (Uzbekistan) the non is unlike any other: round, dense, with a thick, chewy crust, and always marked in its centre with black sesame seeds.’Photograph: Michela Balboni
Chip n Ladies Day Out by Maggie Jary – on the phone category
‘I feel this image portrays the power of friendship. Four women (unknown to me) having a fun day out, enjoying a sneaky bag of chips. The image was not constructed, just a spontaneous capture of a joyous moment, which they were happy to share. Taken at Beamish open-air museum, County Durham.’Photograph: Maggie Jary
Dust Journey by Serkan Dogus – food in the field category
‘Every morning, hundreds of sheep arrive in the village from the high pastures of Mount Nemrut for milking. After the milking is completed, at sunset the sheep set out once again toward Mount Nemrut, and their dusty journey begins.’Photograph: Serkan Dogus
Kyoto Street Vendor by Kara Baird – street food category
‘Shot in Kyoto, Japan, in September 2025, this image was taken in a split second as I moved through the packed, sweaty crowd at Nishiki market. With barely any space to stop, I raised the camera and captured a brief, unfiltered moment of the energy and intensity of the market at its busiest.’Photograph: Kara Baird
Early Morning Catch, Hooghly River by Marco Rutten – bring home the harvest category
‘At sunrise beneath Howrah Bridge, a small crew hauls in their nets on the Hooghly River. River fish remain everyday food and income here: catches from boats like this are sold in nearby markets and prepared that very morning in Bengali kitchens. A quiet, collective harvest beneath the city’s busiest crossing.’Photograph: Marco Rutten
Twin Bridesmaids Enjoy Canapes by Emma Stoner – Champagne Taittinger wedding food photographer category
‘Twin bridesmaids enjoy canapés of “Proper crisps” at Jess & Tom’s wedding. They are pictured in the gardens at The Grain Store in Devon, UK, May 2025.’Photograph: Emma Stoner
Irebero Miller by Glenn Vanderbeke – politics of food category
‘Portrait of a female miller after processing grains into cornmeal. At Vocational Training Center Irebero, single women are trained as millers.’Photograph: Glenn Vanderbeke
Campari Barmen by Marie-Louise Moutafchieva – world of drinks category
‘I happened by chance to turn my attention to the local bar on the corner of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Camparino. The expression of the barman and the waiter dressed in white tuxedos instantly created a story I had to capture. It was one of those moments where I found myself in the right place at the right time.’Photograph: Marie-Louise Moutafchieva
Ine Fishing Village, Kyoto, Japan by Albert Gonzalez – shortlisted cream of the crop
‘Squids drying in the sun using the traditional Japanese technique of himono in the fishing village of Ine, Kyoto prefecture, Japan.’Photograph: Albert Gonzalez
A Moment in the Kitchen by Sadia Sikandar – UK for UNHCR food as home category
‘While living in the UK, away from home for seven years, “home” no longer represents a geographical space for me. It is a place I go to where I feel welcome, valued and able to make good memories. This is a place I pass by whenever I have time; I sit with the restaurant owner and we gossip and laugh a lot. The place and the people make me feel at home.’Photograph: Sadia Sikander
Granny’s Welcoming Gift of Love by Kellie Carter – Claire Aho award for women photographers
‘This home affirms the true meaning of family. Where home is sustained by generosity, where love is expressed through making, sharing and showing up again and again. Where Granny’s smile, fresh baked cookies and a cold glass of milk can make even the bleakest of days bright again.’Photograph: Kellie Carter
At the Register by Daniel Kwak – James Beard Foundation photography award
‘A moment of respite from the line at Hadja Marley, an authentic Senegalese eatery in Brooklyn. This portrait captures the daily rhythm of life on Fulton Street, focusing on the steady presence of the staff and the traditional West African flavours that bring the local community together. A study of neighbourhood service.’Photograph: Daniel Kwak
No Hands No Cutlery by Simon Biffen – shortlisted
‘A group of friends at a wedding at the Royal Crescent Hotel enact their traditional race to eat dessert without using hands or cutlery. The winner, who inhaled his in no time at all, celebrated emphatically while the others attempted to finish with various degrees of success and decorum.’Photograph: Simon Biffen
A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium by Jo Kearney – overall winner
‘The Khoja Obi Garm sanatorium (health hotel), Tajikistan, is a brutalist concrete monstrosity built on hot radon gas-infused springs in the mountains. During Soviet times, communist workers were given two weeks’ annual holiday here. Today its low price – $28 per day including full board and treatments – attracts ordinary Tajiks plus tourists from the neighbouring “Stans” and the odd backpacker. Treatments include hot pools and steam rooms, wax wraps and tanning barrels, plus hearty, healthy meals.’Photograph: Jo KearneyExplore more on these topics
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