UK photographer Jon Enoch has taken out the overall prize in the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year (PLFPOTY) for 2023, with his portrait The Candy Man, a photograph taken in the streets of Western Mumbai near the candy floss-selling grounds of the beaches and fairs.

“Ever since I first saw the candy floss sellers I was drawn to the shapes, colours and juxtaposition of the candy and the urban environment,” said Jon Enoch.

The photograph is part of a wider series of images of the sellers that captures the unique ways the sellers display the candy good in the hope of attracting a buyer.

“The winning image was part of a personal project – a huge amount of time and thought went into capturing it, so it’s great to be recognised by such an esteemed panel of judges.”

 

‘The Candy Man’ by Jon Enoch, 2023.

 

The 2023 global judging panel was tasked with assessing thousands of entries submitted from over 65 countries across the world, and was chaired by renowned food photographer, David Loftus.

Phil Turnbull, CEO of APAL, owner of the Pink Lady® brand and headline sponsor of the Awards since 2011, noted the high calibre of entries and great celebration of food, regardless of the turbulent past 12 months. “Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year continues to tell the world’s most important food stories as we adjust again to a new normal. War in Europe, climate change, soaring inflation all to be grappled with,” said Phil Turnbull.

“But at the same time, we continue to grow, forage, cook, eat, celebrate, gather together, feast. Every year, the incredible winning images act as witness to the centrality of food in every culture and every people across the globe.”

Carolyn Kenyon, founder of the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year competition, applauded Jon’s work, saying that the gaze, full-length figure and subject’s position in the frame was reminiscent of late 18th and early 19th century portraits of Reynolds and Gainsborough. “The man in the picture may have a humble way of life, touting his wares of toxically-coloured candy floss, but he himself is splendid. Dignified, confident, direct, he is anyone’s equal in a society riven with division and caste differences. This image shows us beautifully the universal truth, we are all the same,” Kenyon said.

The winners across the 36 categories were announced at an awards ceremony at the London headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on Tuesday16 May and was also streamed on the competition’s YouTube channel and was watched by an audience across the globe.

 

To view the online gallery of all the 2023 finalists, visit  www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com