Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2024 Contest Winner

Food Photographer: This photo, which came in first place in the Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebrations category, was taken in Jiangshan, a rural area in Zhejiang, during preparations for the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year.

Festive traditions include making dim sum, such as red bean dumplings, steamed rice cakes, and glutinous rice cakes.

“This stunning, perfectly balanced image is full of light, shadow, mystery and poignancy,” said Caroline Kenyon, founder of the Pink Lady contest.

“The food is exquisitely made – its circular shapes contrast with the angularity of the fretwork screen through which the light comes.

“Meanwhile, the woman who cooks food comes in tired and brings another tray. Her job is to work hard and serve while the guests party and enjoy themselves.”

Here’s a selection of the category winners, along with details on the photographers who took them.

“Lucy and Tony and their children made the long journey from Kent to the Isle of Skye to get married.

“They didn’t want to take the traditional wedding cake so far, so their cake maker created these fabulous little ‘cakes in containers’ for them.

“We found a spot near the historic Sligachan Bridge and they stayed put!”

“Buri” is the Japanese word for fish (relating to the species). Seriola quinqueradiata – It is known as ‘Yellowtail’ in English.

“For centuries, fishermen would cut up bad fish, add salt to it, dry it for about 10 days, and finally wrap it in long ropes of leaves and rice straw and hang it in front of their houses, so the sea breeze could blow.”

“Rhubarb is very attractive to me. I love its color and texture. It also means spring is close.”

“Chestnuts symbolize the autumn harvest.

“In our family, which has strong Celtic roots, he is considered the protector of humans and animals.

“The Antique Chestnut Rooster is a family heirloom and a symbol of our agricultural heritage.

“The crested dove is a symbol of harmony and virility.”

“This photo was taken as part of a series called ‘The Hungry Traveller,’ a campaign by Gousto that celebrates cuisines from around the world.”

“At the start of the rice growing season, a young farmer carries a rack of rice seedlings in a paddy field in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand.”

“As the sun descends gracefully on the horizon, casting a warm and magical golden glow with an ethereal radiance, a tribal woman engages in the ancient practice of roasting rice grains in the courtyard of her home by tossing them in the air with rhythmic movements.”

“Celebrate cake with the My Little Cake Tin’s uniquely colourful and stylish edible floral decoration.”

“Boats are spread out in one part of the lake, creating a floating market, selling a variety of fresh fruits.

“This is a floating market of seasonal fruits like jackfruit, pineapple, mango in Rangamati, Bangladesh.

“Tribal farmers sell their fruits early in the morning on a wholesale basis at the minimum price.”

“I spotted this bee snacking on a large sunflower flower at Bignor Roman Villa in West Sussex, England.

“Without bees for pollination, there would be a lot less food in the world.”

Thousands of entries from more than 65 countries were evaluated by this year’s jury, chaired by food photographer David Loftus and including Fiona Shields, head of photography at Guardian News & Media, and Rein Skullerud, senior photographer and photo editor at the United Nations World Food Programme.

An exhibition of all the finalists can be seen at the Mall Galleries in London between 5-9 June.