The moving image A Woman Eats in the Canteen of the Soviet-era Sanatorium, by British photographer Jo Kearney, has been named Overall Winner of the World Food Photography Awards, sponsored by Bimi®, the world’s largest celebration of food photography.
Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table
The image, which previously won the Fortnum & Mason Food at the Table category, was taken at the Khoja Obi Garm sanatorium in the mountains of Tajikistan. This vast concrete complex, built over radon-rich thermal springs, dates back to the Soviet era. It remains one of the few sanatoriums of its kind still in operation, where guests follow prescribed treatments such as thermal baths and steam therapy, while also enjoying nourishing meals — soups, fruit, tea and traditional Tajik dishes — in line with the restorative philosophy of the place. At an approximate cost of €28 per day, including accommodation, meals and treatments, the sanatorium remains extremely popular.
“There is so much to see and feel in this image,” said Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®. “An elderly woman is pouring herself a cup of tea, but the photograph is much more than that. The expression on her lined face is beautiful; it moved me so deeply that I could not help shedding a tear. She is alone, and her simple breakfast on the table visually connects with the fruit depicted in the painting behind her. Against the dry, muted tones of the landscape outside, the intense crimson of the chairs brings an almost majestic feeling to the scene. Although she is dressed modestly, she conveys enormous dignity. We are sure she has lived a great deal, but she holds her head high.”
Spanish photographers
Spanish photographers achieved notable success in this edition of the competition. Among the nearly 9,000 images submitted from more than 50 countries, Spain had twelve finalist photographs, including two category winners.
The bright image by Albert González, showing squid drying in the sun using the traditional Japanese Himono technique in the fishing village of Ine, Japan, won the Cream of the Crop category.
Juan Miguel Ortuño Martinez was named overall winner of Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year, after previously winning the People subcategory with his photograph of underground tanks being cleaned in a winery.
Other Spanish photographers highlighted in the competition included Albert González, Ana Gómez-Qosen, Eduardo Gorostiza Barrera and Virginia Morán.
The winners of the 27 categories were announced by renowned chef and food writer Gennaro Contaldo at Mall Galleries, London, on Tuesday 2 June, during a ceremony that brought together leading figures from the worlds of gastronomy and the arts.
“These awards highlight the power of photography to tell stories about food around the world,” said Dave Samuels, Brand Director of Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini, the awards’ main sponsor. “The extraordinary images remind us of the essential role food plays in communities across the planet: growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, celebrating and surviving. Whatever happens in the world, food will continue to occupy a central place in our lives.”
RELATED NEWS: Bimi® BBQ Day in Murcia: from seed to flame
The international judging panel for this edition was chaired by legendary food photographer David Loftus and also included Sergio and Javier Torres, renowned chefs; Claire Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation; Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason; Catherine Delaloye, Managing Director of Production Paradise; and Rein Skullerud, senior photographer and photo editor at the World Food Programme.
The 203 finalist images can be viewed in a free exhibition at Mall Galleries, London, from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 June. In addition, a selection of images chosen by Fortnum & Mason will be displayed at its iconic Piccadilly store from Tuesday 9 June.
To discover the online gallery featuring all the 2026 finalists, visit: www.worldfoodphotographyawards.com. Entries for the 2027 edition will open this September.
