Chinese photographer Xiaoling Li has captured a heartwarming moment that earned her top honors in a prestigious global food photography competition. Her winning image, titled Elderly Having Delicious Food, shows a group of elderly women enjoying spring rolls together in Shuangliu Ancient Town, located in China’s Sichuan province.
Li explains that the women are “setting up a Dragon Gate formation,” a Chinese phrase referring to neighborhood friends gathering to chat, share stories, and bond over food. The photograph beautifully captures this tradition, illustrating how food brings joy and a sense of community to these women’s lives. The scene conveys warmth, happiness, and the simple pleasures found in companionship and shared meals.
Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards, praised the image as “a perfect winning image for our times.” She highlighted the palpable joy the women share and described the photo as a vibrant and uplifting celebration of human connection. Kenyon noted the striking use of color and composition, as well as the variety of expressions, including one woman determinedly enjoying her food, all contributing to the photograph’s emotional impact.
The 2025 competition attracted nearly 10,000 entries from 70 countries worldwide, with the judging panel chaired by renowned food photographer David Loftus. The global reach and diverse perspectives showcased in the contest underline the universal importance of food as a source of culture, memory, and togetherness.
An exhibition featuring all 185 finalist images is currently on display at London’s The Mall Galleries until May 25, allowing visitors to experience a wide range of food photography styles and stories from around the world. The collection highlights the artistry and storytelling power of food-focused photography, showcasing how culinary moments can connect people across cultures and generations.
For those interested in exploring the finalists’ work digitally, the World Food Photography Awards website offers an extensive online gallery, providing access to inspiring images that celebrate food and its place in human life.
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