The 2025 IACP Awards Season is Now Open
The International Association of Culinary Professionals recognizes excellence in Cookbooks, Digital Media, Food Writing, and Food Photography & Styling in the culinary industry. The IACP awards are among the most prestigious and coveted in the food industry for its rigorous technical testing and the highest ethical standard.
2025 IACP Awards Timeline
February 6, 2025 Entries to the 2025 IACP Awards Open: Cookbook, Digital Media, Food Writing, Food Photography and Styling. Early bird pricing starts. Free submission entry period opens.
February 20, 2025 Early bird pricing ends. Regular Pricing goes into effect (applies to all award programs). Free submission entry period ends.
March 28, 2025 Cookbook Award submissions deadline to enter on Submittable
April 4, 2025 Deadline to receive all Cookbooks at PSSC Book Distribution Center
April 17, 2025 Food Writing, Digital Media, Food Photography & Styling submissions deadline to enter on Submittable
August 2025 / TBA Press release and nominee announcement event for awards finalists
September/October 2025 / TBD Winners announced at IACP Awards Ceremony
IACP's goal is to provide equitable access and have your work recognized in the culinary industry. The IACP Free Submission Period Into The IACP Digital Media, Food Writing, Food Photography and Styling Awards is Open From February 6 - February 20, 2025.
IACP is pleased to continue to offer free submissions into the Digital Media, Food Photography & Styling, or Food Writing Awards from February 6-20, 2025. All applicants will be able to submit an unlimited number of qualifying entries directly on the IACP Submittable Page.
The Cookbook Awards are exempt due to their high operating and shipping costs, but reduced pricing is offered during the early bird submission period from February 6th to February 20th 9pm EST.
Sign up to receive updates and awards news via the IACP newsletter.
For more information on The IACP Awards, contact us at awards@iacp.com
Food Photography – Commercial
This category recognizes excellence in food or beverage photography. Eligible images must have been commissioned by a corporate or commercial business entity for use in an advertising or marketing campaign, for print or online. Photos must be from 2024 to qualify. Test shoots, portfolio images, or social media posts are not accepted unless they were created for a sponsored post.
To enter a photograph in the 2025 Food Photography & Styling Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form and photograph. We highly encourage you to review the Food Photography & Styling Awards Guidelines page before proceeding with this form here.
ENTRY FEE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $30.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Food Photography – Editorial
This category recognizes excellence in food or beverage photography. Eligible images must have been created for and published in a book, magazine, newspaper, blog, or other media publication, either in print or online. Photos must be from 2024 to qualify. Test shoots, portfolio images, or social media posts are not accepted.
To enter a photograph in the 2025 Food Photography & Styling Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form and photograph. We highly encourage you to review the Food Photography & Styling Awards Guidelines page before proceeding with this form here.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $30.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Food Styling in Photography – Commercial
This category recognizes excellence in food and beverage styling within a photograph. Eligible images must have been commissioned by a corporate or commercial business entity for use in an advertising or marketing campaign, for print or online. Photos must be from 2024 to qualify. Test shoots, portfolio images, or social media posts are not accepted unless they were created for a sponsored post.
To enter a photograph in the 2025 Food Photography & Styling Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form and photograph. We highly encourage you to review the Food Photography & Styling Awards Guidelines page before proceeding with this form here.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $30.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Food Styling in Photography- Editorial
This category recognizes excellence in food and beverage styling within a photograph. Eligible images must have been created for and published in a book, magazine, newspaper, blog, or other media publication, either in print or online. Photos must be from 2024 to qualify. Test shoots, portfolio images, or social media posts are not accepted.
To enter a photograph in the 2025 Food Photography & Styling Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form and photograph. We highly encourage you to review the Food Photography & Styling Awards Guidelines page before proceeding with this form here.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $30.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Culinary Recipe Website
A culinary-related online publication that is produced by one or more individuals. The site can be independent or an extension of other media, such as a television show, magazine, or newspaper. To differentiate from a blog, entrants in this category are more likely to be database-driven and/or include user-generated content (such as recipes) rather than organized by post or in a journal format like a traditional blog. The site must contain recipes and be recipe-focused. It is judged on mastery of language, depth, quality of content, clarity of thought, explanatory skills, and originality of recipe development, followed by the strength of research, photography, and design. Entrants must submit three URLs for specific posts from 2024 for the judges' consideration. However, the entire experience of the site will be considered and other posts within the eligible time period may be reviewed.
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Culinary Video Series
Entries in this category are defined as a minimum of three (3) videos that were originally streamed on an online platform such as YouTube, Vimeo, a company website, newsletter, or blog. Each individual video may be of any length. Three (3) episodes must be submitted for consideration. Entries are judged on the ability to engage the targeted audience, production quality, information and entertainment value, depth of research, originality, and overall excellence.
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Food Blog
A culinary-related blog primarily authored by one or two individuals as a personal endeavor independent of another blog or corporate website. The blog should be primarily journal-focused and organized by time-categorized entries that may or may not contain recipes. Blogs are judged on mastery of language, depth of content, clarity of thought, and originality of voice, followed by the strength of research, photography, and design. Entrants must submit three URLs for specific posts for the judges' consideration. However, the entire experience of the blog will be considered, and other posts within the eligible time frame may be reviewed.
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Instagram Account
This category applies to Instagram accounts with a focus on food or beverage. The account may include individual/personal and/or sponsored/commercial campaigns. The account must include a minimum of twenty (20) posts or reels published during the 2024 calendar year, but more posts will be accepted and reviewed. Entries are judged on the ability to engage their targeted audience, quality of content and information, originality, and overall excellence.
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Newsletter
Newsletters from publications and individual writers are increasingly telling stories readers won’t find elsewhere. This award honors that work. To qualify, newsletters must be focused on food and/or beverages and produced by one or more individuals. They must convey an original and innovative narrative that stands out in an inbox. The writing must display a master of editorial standards such as an engaging lede, form, and style. Entrants must submit three URLs for specific posts for the judges' consideration, although the entire experience of the work will be considered.
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Podcast
Awarded to a podcast series streamed on a podcast platform only, such as Apple podcast, Google, Spotify & Stitcher, or other online distribution platform other than radio. Episodes may be any length. A series is defined as a minimum of six episodes; three episodes originally streamed in 2024 must be submitted for consideration. Entries are judged on presentation, informational value, entertainment value, originality, production quality, and overall excellence.
Podcasts originally aired on radio are not eligible and not allowed to be submitted to the podcasts category*
To enter the 2025 Digital Media Awards program, please complete and submit the entry form. We highly encourage you to review the Digital Media Awards Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Recipe-Focused Column
This award seeks to recognize author(s) who write on recipes in a designated “column” or structured repetitive format published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Entries will be judged on mastery of language, quality and originality of recipes, clarity of thought, explanatory writing, and ability to engage and maintain a consistent tone and relationship with the reader. Entrants must submit a minimum of three columns and may have more than one contributing author. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Culinary Travel Writing With Recipes
A culinary-related story, with recipes, which documents a gastronomic/travel experience based on a physical, intellectual, or emotional journey. Entries are judged on mastery of language, originality, depth of thought and research, clarity and coherence of ideas, resonance with the reader, originality, and focus. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Culinary Travel Writing Without Recipes
A culinary-related story, without recipes, which documents a gastronomic/travel experience based on a physical, intellectual, or emotional journey. Entries are judged on mastery of language, originality, depth of thought and research, clarity and coherence of ideas, resonance with the reader, originality, and focus. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Narrative Beverage Writing
The entries are judged on mastery of language, depth of thought and research, clarity and coherence of ideas, resonance with the reader, originality, and focus. Entries may or may not include recipes. The narrative should help the reader to conceptualize distinctive aspects of the topic under discussion, such as unique ingredients and/or techniques. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Narrative Food Writing With Recipes
The entries are judged on mastery of language, depth of thought and research, clarity and coherence of ideas, resonance with the reader, originality, and focus. Recipes are required in this category. Recipes should add an extra dimension, helping the reader to conceptualize unique ingredients and/or cooking techniques related to the topic. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Narrative Food Writing Without Recipes
The entries are judged on mastery of language, depth of thought and research, clarity and coherence of ideas, resonance with the reader, originality, and focus. Recipes are not required in this category, but the narrative should help the reader to conceptualize distinctive aspects of the topic under discussion, such as unique ingredients and/or techniques. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Personal Essay/Memoir
An article of a personal nature that shows a development of thought or perspective that the author ties with a culinary subject, memory, episode, or issue. Entries will be judged on a demonstrated mastery of language, clarity of thought, originality, persuasive explanatory writing, ability to engage the reader on an emotional level, and original focus on the subject at hand. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com
Restaurant Criticism/Review
A reoccurring restaurant criticism column published in a print newspaper, magazine or culinary website. Articles will be judged on mastery of language, quality and originality of content and topics, clarity of thought, explanatory writing and ability to engage and maintain a consistent tone and relationship with the reader. Entrants must submit a minimum of three columns with URLs; may have more than one contributing author. Entries must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications.
The Food Writing Awards recognize outstanding culinary storytelling and journalism celebrating the best food-related articles and stories published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and online publications. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into The Cookbook Awards for awards consideration.
Please complete and submit the entry form to enter the 2025 Food Writing Awards program. We highly encourage you to review the Food Writing Award Guidelines page here before proceeding with this form.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE:
FREE ENTRY PERIOD- FEBRUARY 6, 2025 - FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
REGULAR FEE- FEBRUARY 21, 2025 - APRIL 17, 2025 $75.00
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR AWARD CONSIDERATION IS APRIL 17, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com