The world’s finest food photography has been celebrated at the 2026 World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem®, with British photographer Jo Kearney taking the coveted Overall Winner title, while South Africa‘s Louhani Els earned international recognition with a Highly Commended award.
Kearney claimed the competition’s highest honour with her moving photograph, A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium, which also won the Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table category.
Captured at the historic Khoja Obi Garm sanatorium in the mountains of Tajikistan, the image portrays an elderly woman enjoying breakfast in one of the last remaining Soviet-era health resorts. The sanatorium, famous for its radon-rich hot springs and restorative treatments, continues to serve traditional Tajik meals as part of its wellness programme.
Caroline Kenyon, Founder of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem®, praised the photograph for its emotional depth.
“There is so much to see and so much to feel in this image. An old woman pours herself tea, but it’s so much more than just that. Her expression is beautiful and deeply moving, reflecting dignity, resilience and a lifetime of experiences.”
South African Photographer Earns Global Recognition
Among nearly 9,000 entries from more than 50 countries, South African photographer Louhani Els stood out by receiving a Highly Commended accolade in the Cake Award category for her emotionally powerful image titled Food Altar – Sardines and my Dad.
The artwork draws inspiration from poet Tori Derricotte’s My Dad and Sardines, using food as a visual language to explore grief, memory and healing.
According to Els, the damaged cake symbolises emotional brokenness, while sardines, crackers and onions recreate her late father’s cherished ritual, forming a symbolic food altar that reconnects father and daughter through remembrance and peace.
The recognition places South Africa among the world’s leading food photographers and highlights the country’s growing influence within international creative photography.
Winners Announced in London
The winners across 27 competition categories were announced by renowned Italian chef and food writer Gennaro Contaldo during a prestigious awards ceremony held at Mall Galleries in London.
Dave Samuels, Brand Director of Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini and headline sponsor of the awards, said the competition continues to showcase the universal importance of food.
He noted that the winning images demonstrate how food connects communities through farming, cooking, celebration, survival and shared traditions across cultures worldwide.
Esteemed International Judging Panel
The 2026 judging panel was chaired by legendary food photographer David Loftus and featured an impressive line-up of industry leaders, including:
- Michelin-starred South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
- Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason
- Rein Skullerud, Senior Photographer and Photo Editor at the World Food Programme
- Celebrity chef and food campaigner Jamie Oliver
Exhibition and Online Gallery
A free public exhibition featuring all 203 finalist photographs will be showcased at Mall Galleries in London before a curated selection moves to the iconic Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly store.
Photography enthusiasts can also explore the complete collection of finalists through the official online gallery, while entries for the 2027 World Food Photography Awards are scheduled to open in September 2026.
The competition once again demonstrates that food photography goes far beyond capturing meals—it tells powerful human stories of culture, identity, memory and resilience, with South Africa proudly represented on the global stage.
