This is the winning photo of the World Food Photography Awards 2025
The annual World Food Photography Awards, sponsored by Bimi®, have been celebrating the most beautiful and striking images of food from around the world for years. And this year, the top prize went to a photo that simply makes you happy. The heartwarming photo The Elderly Having Delicious Food by Chinese photographer Xiaoling Li has been named the overall winner of the World Food Photography Awards 2025.
The Elderly Having Delicious Food: food connects generations
The winning photo was taken in the picturesque town of Shuangliu, in China’s Sichuan province. The image shows five elderly women together in a traditional ‘Dragon Gate formation’ – an expression referring to neighbours coming together to chat, share stories and, above all, enjoy one another’s company.
The women are eating spring rolls, a beloved Sichuan snack, and their faces radiate pure bliss. Photographer Xiaoling Li says: “Food makes these people happy; they enjoy a beautiful and joyful life.”
Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards, calls the image a powerful reminder in a divided world: “The joy is bursting from it. The colours, composition and that one woman who keeps eating undisturbed – it simply touches you.”
Dutch photographers also steal the show
This year, the international jury was led by food photography icon David Loftus, known among other things for Jamie Oliver’s magazine. Another well-known jury member is Sergio Herman. The Netherlands was well represented this year among nearly 10,000 entries from 70 countries. No fewer than four Dutch photos reached the final, including one winner:
Dorien Paymans won the Cream of the Crop category with her impressive image Flour Swirl.
Marco Rutten came second in Bring Home the Harvest with a photo of tea being weighed on a plantation, and received an honourable mention for a sunrise photo of tea pickers.
Jasmina Kazemier received an honourable mention in the Tiptree Cake Awards for her atmospheric Dark and Fudgy Chocolate Cake.
Food meets art: celebratory awards ceremony in London
On Tuesday 20 May, the winners were ceremonially announced at the Mall Galleries in London. None other than Yotam Ottolenghi presented the awards during an evening that brought foodies and art lovers together.
Dave Samuels, Brand Director at main sponsor Bimi®, sums it up beautifully: “Photography shows how food connects us – from growing, cooking and eating to celebrating and surviving. These images tell the most beautiful stories about food around the world.”
See the best food photos in London and online
The 185 finalist photos can be viewed free of charge at the Mall Galleries in London from 21 to 25 May. The exhibition then travels to:
Fortnum & Mason (from 2 June)
Museum of the Home in London (3 June through 7 September)
The online gallery featuring all the 2025 finalists can be found here: worldfoodphotographyawards.com
And would you like to measure your food photography skills against the world’s best? Entries for 2026 open in September.
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Image: Xiaoling Li/World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®
