An image of five elderly women having a giggle while sharing spring rolls in a quiet corner of Sichuan has been crowned the world’s best food photograph.
Titled simply as "The Elderly Having Delicious Food", the heartwarming photo by Chinese photographer Xiaoling Li has taken the top prize at this year’s World Food Photography Awards, beating nearly 10,000 entries from 70 countries.
Shot in Shuangliu Ancient Town, the image captures what Li describes as a “Dragon Gate formation” - a Chinese phrase for neighbours gathering to chat, gossip, and share stories over food. “They eat the famous Sichuan snack 'spring rolls,’” says Li. “Food makes these people happy; they enjoy a beautiful and joyful life.”
'The Elderly Having Delicious Food' by Xiaoling L (OVERALL WINNER) ('The Elderly Having Delicious Food' by Xiaoling L (OVERALL WINNER))
The awards, sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi®, were announced in a glittering ceremony at London’s Mall Galleries, hosted by chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi. The competition spans 25 categories - from “Bring Home the Harvest” to “Food in the Field” - and celebrates the many ways food weaves through our lives, cultures, and stories.
“These Awards showcase the power of photography in telling incredible food stories from around the world,” said Dave Samuels, Brand Director at Tenderstem® Bimi®. “No matter how the world changes, food remains at the heart of our lives.”
A selection of the winning images will be on display at Fortnum & Mason from 2 June and the Museum of the Home from 3 June to 7 September.
Below, feast your eyes upon a few of our favourite winning images from this year's competition.
Banh Hoi Cake by Đặng Hoài Anh (Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration) (Banh Hoi Cake by Đặng Hoài Anh (Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration))Net Fish in Water Fields by Chang Jiangbin (Bring Home the Harvest) (Net Fish in Water Fields by Chang Jiangbin (Bring Home the Harvest))The Hand in the Vat by Franck Tremblay (Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year - Produce) (The Hand in the Vat by Franck Tremblay (Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year - Produce))5 Second Rule by Costas Millas (Hotel Art Group Food Stylist Award) (5 Second Rule by Costas Millas (Hotel Art Group Food Stylist Award))Crispy Kale by Simon Détraz (Marks & Spencer Food Portraiture) (Crispy Kale by Simon Détraz (Marks & Spencer Food Portraiture))Laundry Day by Pieter D'Hoop (MPB Award for Innovation) (Laundry Day by Pieter D'Hoop (MPB Award for Innovation))La Matassa. A Real Work of Craftsmanship by Diego Marinelli (The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action supported by International Salon Culinaire) (La Matassa. A Real Work of Craftsmanship by Diego Marinelli (The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action supported by International Salon Culinaire))Ramadan Special Parantha Halwa by Debdatta Chakraborty (Street Food) (Ramadan Special Parantha Halwa by Debdatta Chakraborty (Street Food))Sky Mushrooms by Diego Papagna (Production Paradise Previously Published) (Sky Mushrooms by Diego Papagna (Production Paradise Previously Published))Pinot Noir at Midnight by Heather Daenitz (Overall Winner of Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year (and People sub-category)) (Pinot Noir at Midnight by Heather Daenitz (Overall Winner of Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year (and People sub-category)))Flour Swirl by Dorien Paymans (Cream of the Crop) (Flour Swirl by Dorien Paymans (Cream of the Crop))Buddhist Offerings by Ryan Kost (The Bimi® Prize) (Buddhist Offerings by Ryan Kost (The Bimi® Prize))
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