The 2026 edition of the international competition has recognised 39 photographs, once again highlighting the richness of contemporary food photography.
“The expression on her wrinkled face is magnificent; it moved me to tears.” Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi®, does not hide her emotion when speaking of A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium. Captured by British photographer Jo Kearney, this gentle, balanced and colourful composition, depicting a woman eating in the canteen of a Soviet-era sanatorium in the mountains of Tajikistan, won over the jury chaired by food photographer David Loftus. Having already won an award in the “Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table” category, the photograph was awarded the Grand Prix at the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® 2026, enabling its photographer to win a prize of £5,000.
“She is alone; her modest breakfast set before her echoes the fruit depicted in the painting hanging on the wall behind her,” continues Caroline Kenyon. “Set against the parched hues of the landscape visible through the window, the deep red chairs lend the setting a regal air and, despite her modest attire, her dignified bearing also has something majestic about it. She has no doubt been through a great deal in her life, but she holds her head high.”
This image is among the 39 photographs awarded prizes in the various categories of this latest edition of the competition. With an aesthetic radically different from that of the Grand Prix, Anne Mason-Hoerter’s *Candied Pear* has won the “Bimi® Prize”, named after the competition’s main sponsor. Against a black background, the silhouette and translucent flesh of a candied pear are revealed as if under an X-ray. “I wanted to create a unique image centred on candied fruit, and I’ve always been fascinated by the transparency of the colours that this process brings out,” explains the photographer.
“These remarkable images remind us of the vital role food plays in communities around the world: whether it’s growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, celebrating or simply surviving. Whatever changes the world goes through, food remains at the heart of our lives,” sums up Dave Samuels, Director of Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini, as evidenced by the 9,000 applications received from over 50 countries.
“These remarkable images remind us of the vital role that food plays in communities around the world: whether it’s growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, celebrating or simply surviving. Whatever changes the world is going through, food remains at the heart of our lives,” says Dave Samuels, Director of Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini, as evidenced by the 9,000 entries from over 50 countries.
A free exhibition of the 203 finalist images will be on display at the Mall Galleries from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 June. A selection of images chosen by Fortnum & Mason will also be exhibited at its Piccadilly store from Tuesday 9 June. This offers a chance to discover the award-winning photographs ahead of the next call for entries in September.
Benjamin Rullier
Practical information
World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® – 2026 Finalists Exhibition
Mall Galleries, London
Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 June*
Free entry. No booking required.
Wednesday 3 June – Thursday 4 June, 10am–5.30pm | Friday 5 June – Saturday 6 June, 10am–5pm | Sunday 7 June, 10am–1pm
