World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem^® – Winners announced!

The image 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. 

South African photographer Louhani Els also achieved success in the competition, receiving a Highly Commended award in the Cake Award category for her powerful image, Food Altar - Sardines and my Dad. 

The artwork explores memory, family and healing through food photography, using a damaged cake alongside sardines, crackers and onions to tell a deeply personal story of remembrance and reconciliation.

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.

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.

To see the online gallery of all the 2026 finalists and winners, visit www.worldfoodphotographyawards.com 

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.  

Thank you to everyone who submitted their photos for this year’s World Food Photography Awards. Entries for the 2027 edition of the competition will open later this year in September.