The World Food Photography Awards has revealed this year's winners. With thousands of entries from over 70 countries, the competition celebrates the very best food photography and videography from around the globe.
At the heart of it all, of course, is food – a source of connection, creativity, and inspiration.
Now in its 14th year, the Awards (sponsored by Tenderstem Bimi Broccolini) continue to shine a light on the rich diversity of food stories, capturing everything from growing and harvesting to cooking, sharing and simply enjoying a meal.
Each image offers a window into different cultures and everyday moments, while also highlighting important issues connected to the food we cherish.
This year's overall winner is Xiaoling Li with the image The Elderly Having Delicious Food. It was also the winner of the category: Food for the Family (supported by the Felix Project, a British charity that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to community organizations across London).
"What a perfect winning image for our times," says Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards. "This beautifully framed shot captures five elderly women in Sichuan Province in China, reveling in good food with true friends.
"The joy they have in each other's company is palpable, a powerful rebuke to those who would divide us. Color, composition, the variety of expressions while one determinedly plows on with their food – I defy anyone not to be uplifted by this photograph."
New this year is the Jamie Oliver Youth Prize, named for the celebrity chef and food activist. In this category, young talents can enter the Awards and tell their unique food stories. This year, talented Maja Kowalczyk won the under-12s prize with her image Family.
Here's a look at the winning images of this year's Awards. To see the online gallery of all the 2025 finalists, visit the World Food Photography Awards website.
Overall Winner
The Elderly Having Delicious Food by Xiaoling Li
Overall Winner & Food for the Family supported by the Felix Project
"In an early spring afternoon in Shuangliu Ancient Town, Sichuan Province, China, five elderly ladies in their eighties sit together. Wearing colorful jackets and wool hats, they happily eat the famous Sichuan snack 'spring rolls'.
"A wrap of thin homemade dough, filled with cucumber, carrot and shredded scallions, drizzled with green mustard, Sichuan pepper, red oil, sweet sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
"They are 'setting up a Dragon Gate formation' – an expression used in China to refer to neighborhood friends coming together to chat, gossip and share stories. Food makes these people happy; they enjoy a beautiful and joyful life."
Category Winners
This year's global judging panel was chaired by the legendary food photographer David Loftus, known as Jamie Oliver’s photographer and the most published food photographer in the world.
The panel included names like Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum and Mason; Rein Skullerud, senior photographer and photo editor at the United Nations World Food Programme; and Mogau Seshoene, chef and author.
A free-to-enter exhibition of all the Finalist images will premiere at The Mall Galleries in London, England, running from 21 - 25 May.
A selection of images will also be exhibited in London at Fortnum and Mason from June 02 as well as the Museum of the Home from June 03 - September 07.
Want to photograph your own food photos? Take a look at the best cameras for food photography and the best lenses for food photography. Browse the best photography awards and contests for more inspiration, or take a look at the best professional cameras.
