The 2026 edition of the World Food Photography Awards, presented by Tenderstem®, has officially opened for entries-offering amateur and professional photographers across the globe a powerful platform to tell stories that begin with something we all share: food.
Now in its 15th year, the competition has earned a reputation as the world’s leading celebration of food photography and the many ways it connects cultures, communities, and individuals. With a top prize of £5,000 and exhibition opportunities at London’s Mall Galleries and the iconic Fortnum & Mason, the stakes are high but so is the creative opportunity.
“Food is the drumbeat of life – too much, too little, harvest, drought, beauty and horror – it binds us all,” said Caroline Kenyon, Founder of the Awards.
This year’s competition features more than 25 categories, reflecting the vast influence food has on our lives. From wedding feasts to refugee camps, images in the competition explore food not just as sustenance, but as story.
A notable addition for 2026 is the “Food as Home” category, introduced in collaboration with UK for UNHCR. This new category invites photographers with lived experiences of displacement to explore how food can evoke a sense of belonging in the most difficult of circumstances.
Also on the horizon is a brand-new award in partnership with M&S Food, with further details expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
A Panel as Diverse as the Entries
The judging panel this year is chaired by legendary food photographer David Loftus, and includes:
- Jan Hendrick van der Westhuizen, Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur from South Africa
- Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason
- Rein Skullerud, Senior Photographer and Photo Editor, World Food Programme
- Jamie Oliver, globally known chef, campaigner, and restaurateur
Together, the panel brings deep expertise not only in photography but also in culinary culture and humanitarian storytelling.
Why Enter?
For past finalists, entering the competition has meant more than just recognition. It has meant personal growth, creative discovery, and unexpected career doors opening.
“Even if you don’t win, you gain clarity on your photographic style and push yourself creatively,” said Jasmina Kazemier, a previous finalist.
“I almost didn’t enter,” added Louise Rayner, who made the finals with a spontaneous phone shot.
With entries now open, photographers around the world are invited to submit images that reflect the complex, beautiful, and sometimes challenging stories food can tell.
For more information, visit www.worldfoodphotographyawards.com
Entries close Sunday 8th February 2026.