Food for thought

Whether or not you think you’re into food photography, the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year competition has something to suit pretty much every taste

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As well as the obvious eponymous subject, it could be said that the competition covers landscape, street, travel, portraiture, documentary and probably more besides.

With 36 different categories in the overall competition, the 2023 contest received thousands of entries from more than 65 countries. Chair of the judges was David Loftus, the world-renowned food photographer, with other luminaries including Fiona Shields, head of photography at Guardian News & Media, Ella Ravilious, curator at the V&A Museum and Rein Skullerud, senior photographer, photo editor at the United Nations World Food Programme.

The overall winner was British photographer Jon Enoch (see right) for his picture ‘The Candy Man’, which was taken in the streets of western Mumbai where candy floss is sold at beaches and fairs.

An exhibition of the 2023 finalists will go on show at the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, and it will run until 11 June – during which time the city is also playing host to Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Travel Photographer of the Year.

I spoke to a number of winners and finalists about their images, and also asked them to share some of their thoughts and tips for those thinking of entering the competition next year – and we absolutely think you should. Once you’ve devoured that which can be found on these pages, be sure to head over to pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com to see more of the finalists.

Carla describes this image of the 86-year-old Adua as a journey down memory lane. Adua had to leave her lifelong home during the Covid pandemic. Carla says she feels grateful and honoured to be featured in the competition which she likes for all the different categories available, giving everyone a great opportunity to participate.