A photo of a street food vendor working in a smoke-covered oven has won a major food photography award.
Debdatta Chakraborty was named the overall winner of Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2022 for an image titled Kebabiyana, which was taken in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir.
The Indian photographer took the photo at night on a busy street as vendors lit charcoal ovens to prepare wazwan kebabs and other street food.
“In today’s world, we feel the need for comfort more than ever before,” said Founder and CEO Caroline Kenyon.
“There’s so much here to put our minds at ease – the beautifully captured undulating embrace of the smoke, the golden light, the subject’s expression as he prepares the food to share.
“Sparks fly from the skewers, which we can almost smell the roasting. We imagine the warm, delicious aroma.
“This image, soft yet powerful, nourishes our souls.”
Thousands of entries were submitted from more than 60 countries around the world and the winners were announced online via a livestream event.
Here are some of the competition category winners, with descriptions by the photographers.
Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration: Traditional Skill, by Chen Ying, China
image source, Chen YingTaken at a small farm in Qianlian Village, Xiangyou County, Putian City, Fujian Province. A family gathers to make dumplings filled with rice or mung beans. They use a wooden seal to sign the words ‘fortune’ or ‘luck’ in the red dough, and steam the dumplings in a big steamer.This tradition means that the new year will be welcomed with reunion and the coming year will be prosperous.
Eating at the Table: Putting on The Ritz, by John Carey, UK
image source, John Carey“The Arts de la Table theater at the table is a big part of The Ritz’s restaurant experience.”
Fujifilm Award for Innovation: Central Park, by Yuliy Vasilev, Bulgaria
image source, Yuliy Vasilevi“The image is part of my ongoing project called Foodtopia – a miniature world made with food items.”
The Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers: At the Table, by Marguerite Oelofse, South Africa
image source, Marguerite Ulofse“Celebrating African heritage, combined with a dash of inspiration from French Post-Impressionist artist Henri Matisse. The painterly aesthetic in my photography creates a three-dimensional feel through the use of bold colours, shapes and textures. These elements are native to our diverse South African culture. At the table is a celebration of the fruits of our freedom.”
On the Phone: Drying Stockfish, by Kasia Ciesielska-Faber, VK
image source, Kasia Ciesielska-Faber“In the Lofoten Archipelago, Norway, stockfish racks have become part of the landscape. The cod is preserved by drying on large racks without the need for salt or smoke, as temperatures are just below freezing. The climate is perfect for the outdoor stockfish farming.”
Politics of Food: Where Dreams Fly Away, by KM Asad, Bangladesh
image source, KM Asad“A little girl, along with her older sister, fetches water in September 2021 in the Chad Uddan slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In the urban slums, people only have access to fresh water twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.”
Food Stylist Award: Summer Veg Tart, by Carolin Strothe, Germany
image source, Caroline Strothe“Celebrate summer with this spectacular vegetable pie – topped with buffalo mozzarella, feta, heirloom tomatoes, peas, scallions and cornflowers.”
Young (10 and under): Processing Fish, by Rupkotha Roy Barai, Bangladesh
image source, Rupkotha Roy Barai“Village women process the raw fish that is collected locally.”
Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year – Overall Winner: Collecting prunings on Corton Hill, by Jon Wyand, UK
image source, Jon Wyand“Winter prunings collected from the vineyards of Corton Hill in Burgundy.”
One Vision Imaging Cream of the Crop: Carrot Field Forever, by Paolo Grinza and Silvia Vaulà, Italy
image source, Paolo Grinza and Silvia Vaula“This image is part of a photo series based on the concept of ‘hands at work’. Developed for restaurant Etiko Bistrot (Turin, Italy) for Plastikwombat – Photography Art and Concept.”
Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year (Southeast Asia): Catching Anchovies, by Thien Nguyen Ngoc, Vietnam
image source, Thien Nguyen Ngoci“The soft light of a new day illuminates the smoke from the fishing boat’s engine and the shape of green nets that move beneath the water’s surface as local fishermen haul in their nets. Many local fishing families along the coastline of Phu Yen Province will see the near – coastal current to catch anchovies during peak season. Salted anchovies are the main ingredient used to make traditional fish sauce – the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine.”
All photos thanks Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2022† An exhibition of the finalists will be held at The Royal Photographic Society in Bristol from 20 November – 12 December 2022.
