The winning image was taken in Shuangliu Ancient Town in the Sichuan Province of China. “The elderly ladies in the picture are ‘setting up a Dragon Gate formation’,” says Xiaoling Li. “This is an expression used in China to refer to neighbourhood friends coming together to chat, gossip and share stories. They eat the famous Sichuan snack 'Spring rolls’. Food makes these people happy; they enjoy a beautiful and joyful life.”
A photographer from South Africa had an image selected as a finalist, from nearly 10,000 entries submitted from 70 countries around the world. Marguerite Oelofse was Highly Commended in the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers category with her capture ‘High Tea with a Hare’, for which she drew inspiration from two of the Dutch Masters.
“A life-sized hare in period attire sits at a lavish tea table, framed by a grand floral backdrop in crimson, violet and gold. The decadent spread evokes High Tea, blending luxury with whimsy,” says Marguerite. “The hare, a nod to Alice’s Adventures, embodies chaos and time, merging history, art and indulgence. This image blends Rembrandt’s lighting with a secondary light to the right, creating a dramatic yet natural effect. Vermeer’s influence adds luminous contrasts, while textured drapery evokes baroque charm and whimsy.”
The winners of the competition’s 25 categories were revealed by renowned chef, restaurateur and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi at the Mall Galleries, London on Tuesday 20 May at an awards evening gathering stars of the food and arts worlds.
To see the online gallery of all the 2025 finalists, visit www.worldfoodphotographyawards.com
Thank you to everyone who submitted their photos for this year’s World Food Photography Awards. Entries for the 2026 edition of the competition will open later this year in September.
- Share via Twitter
- Share via Facebook
- Share via Pinterest
-
Copy to your clipboard
