A magnificent shot of a street chef taken in Kuala Lumpur by Australian photographer David Griffen has seized this year’s crown at Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2015, the world’s leading celebration of the art of food photography.

“Almost 6500 images were entered this year from 56 countries. More than 20,000 images have been submitted since the first Awards. As ever, it was a phenomenally high standard, making the judges decision incredibly tough. We are delighted to present the trophy and prize to David for this wonderful photograph,” said Macdonald. “He is our first Australian winner, and it reflects the truly international nature of the Awards.”

Chairman of the Judges, food writer Jay Rayner said,  “The composition is fantastic. The billowing of the smoke from the smoker on one side. The billowing of the smoke from the guy’s cigarette on the other.

“And the sense of him also as a bit of an outsider. A lot of the food world is full of outsiders, people who have made their lives in kitchens because they feel comfortable in there. And this man is supremely comfortable in this kitchen.

“He knows what he’s doing and that’s why he can basically multi-task. He’s smoking two things at once – and one of them is himself.”

The image was a highly popular one with the judging panel this year, which included David Loftus, Jamie Oliver’s photographer, Anglo-French culinary legend Michel Roux Jnr, Emily Luchetti, Chair of the James Beard Foundation, NYC and Sanjeev Kapoor, Indian culinary superstar.