GCC Food Photography Award gearing up for second season

Manama : After a successful debut in 2015, the GCC Food Photography Awards is gearing up for its second season, aiming to be bigger and better.

With the support from Jamie Magazine (the official publication of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver) and based on the theme ‘celebrating good food,’ participants are invited to enter original photographs capturing different forms, styles, preparations and occasions of food.

The contest is open for both professionals and amateur photographers under multiple categories. A special category for junior photographers of less than 17 years has been added to encourage young talents.

Photoaward ME patron and chief guest at last year’s event, Andy Harris, Chief Editor of Jamie Magazine, will be joining the judging panel. Other members include renowned food photographer David Loftus, celebrity chefs Kunal Kapur and Yann Bernard Lejard, Dubai-based food blogger Sally Prosser, food photographer Amelia Johnson, Bahrain-based food photographer Phil Weymouth and Indonesia-based food photographer William Hondokusumo.

The competition has five categories including two new ones this year: Earth’s Bounty, Fabulous Fish, Market Magic, Food Portrait and Junior GCC Food Photographer of the Year.

Participants must be citizens or legal resident of the GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A maximum of 12 images (three in each adult category) or three images in the junior category can be submitted online. Entry is free and registration opens on June 1 and will continue until October 2016.

Participants will be scored based on three criteria – creativity, photographic quality and genuineness/ authenticity of the content.

Shortlisted entries will be announced online at www.photoawardme.com in November. 

The Grand Prize winner will receive, in addition to the title ‘GCC Food Photographer of the Year 2016’, a cash award of US$1,000/- and sponsored gifts. 

The first place winner in each category will receive US$333/- and gifts. 

The event is organised by Bahrain-based advertising agency MACADAM, in partnership with Creative Eye Photography and The Butterfly Effect. The event is supported by InkChutney.com.