Food Writing Awards

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/or online publications.

The Food Writing Awards were first presented in 1991 to honor excellence in food journalism. The awards were formerly named after Bert Greene (1923-1988), a nationally renowned cooking teacher, cookbook author, and syndicated food columnist. Each year, the Food Writing Awards Committee selects the best examples of food writing in any of the eight (8) categories. Entries are judged against a detailed list of criteria unique to each category. Eligible works must have been published between January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. For more information about the Food Writing Awards submission guidelines, judging procedures or FAQ’s, please review the links at the bottom of the page. Books are not eligible for the Food Writing Awards; books must be entered into the Cookbook Awards for awards consideration. Award entries will open on February 6, 2025, and close on April 17, 2025. Deadline to receive all entry forms and payments through the IACP Submittable Page is April 17, 2025. Here are the categories:

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

Recipe Focused Column
This award seeks to recognize author(s) who write on recipes in a designated “column” or structured repetitive format. 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. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

Restaurant Criticism/Reviews
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 sections; may have more than one contributing author. Submissions must be published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, or other print and/or online publications.

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FOOD WRITING AWARDS: LINKS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

awards@iacp.com