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
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 editorial publication, either in print or online. Photos must clearly, accurately, and artistically depict the recipes or subjects while supporting the storytelling through exceptional use of lighting and composition to create stimulating visuals that enhance the text and capture the overall tone and spirit of the piece. Photos must be from 2025 to qualify. Test shoots, portfolio images, or social media posts are not accepted
To enter a photograph in the 2026 Food Photography & Styling Awards program, please complete and submit this entry form and submit the 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- MARCH 18, 2026 - APRIL 1, 2026.
REGULAR FEE- APRIL 2, 2026 - MAY 13, 2026 $30.00
THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRY FORMS, MATERIALS, AND PAYMENTS IS MAY 13, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding this form or process, please contact us at awards@iacp.com