The 2026 IACP Awards Season is Open for Submissions

The International Association of Culinary Professionals recognizes excellence in Cookbooks, 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. 

2026 IACP Awards Timeline

March 18, 2026   Entries to the 2026 IACP Awards Open: Cookbook,Food Writing, Food Photography and Styling. Early bird pricing starts. Free submission entry period opens.

April 1, 2026  Cookbook Awards early bird pricing ends. Free submission entry period to the Food Writing Awards and Food Photography and styling Awards ends. Regular Pricing goes into effect (applies to all award programs). 

April 15, 2026  Deadline for Cookbook Award submissions.

April 27, 2026  Deadline to receive all Cookbooks at PSSC Book Distribution Center. 

May 13, 2026  Deadline for The Food Writing, Food Photography & Styling submissions.

October 1, 2026 Press release and nominee announcement LIVE

November 5, 2026 Winners announced at the IACP Awards ceremony at City Harvest in Brooklyn, NY (Cookbook Awards).

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 Food Writing and Food Photography and Styling Awards is Open for Two Weeks, From March 18 - April 1, 2026. 

IACP is pleased to continue to offer free submissions into the Food Writing and Food Photography & Styling Awards from March 18 - April 1.  All applicants will be able to submit (5) 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 March 18 - April 1, 2026. 

The Digital Media Awards are not being offered this year due to the rapidly changing tech environment and emerging AI technologies. We look forward to bringing it back with the required guardrails next awards season. 

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