Finalists will have their work exhibited at Mall Galleries, with the winner potentially featured by Fortnum & Mason to broaden client exposure.

Selected finalist images will be displayed at Mall Galleries in London, and a subset will also be shown at the Fortnum & Mason store in Piccadilly.

The piece highlights how challenging it is to break into commercial food photography, framing the Rise Star award as a tangible, attainable route to paid work.

Entries close on February 8, 2026, and the competition invites both professionals seeking a break and hobbyists aiming to go pro.

Prize includes a travel budget of up to 500 pounds and significant professional prestige, potentially boosting portfolios and LinkedIn profiles.

Entrants must submit a portfolio of five images to qualify for the new Rising Star award.

Competition format allows unlimited five-shot portfolios; the Rising Star winner cannot win the overall World Food Photography Awards title but will earn the M&S commission.

Rich Robinson, M&S Food’s head of creative, describes the initiative as a genuine stepping stone for emerging talent and notes the high standard expected for M&S campaigns.

Robinson also emphasizes M&S Food’s commitment to supporting the next generation of food photographers.

M&S Food has launched the World Food Photography Awards’ new Rising Star category, offering the winner a direct paid campaign with Marks & Spencer.

The winning photographer will be invited to shoot an advertising campaign for M&S Food, with the partnership creating a clear path to commercial work.

Caroline Kenyon, founder of the World Food Photography Awards, expresses enthusiasm about M&S’s involvement and the opportunities it creates for the winner.