Deadline: January 31, 2026
Applications are open for the Black Women in Food Awards 2026. The Black Women in Food Awards honor the leadership and impact of Black women shaping the food, beverage, and hospitality industry – work that is too often overlooked despite its profound influence. The Awards help close long-standing visibility gaps while affirming the critical role Black women play across our global food system.
Honorees are nominated by the public and selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts. The 2026 honorees will be announced at the Black Women in Food Summit, April 23–25, 2026.
Categories
- Game Changer: Uses their influence for positive change (e.g. activist, policymaker, and/or venture capitalist, etc.)
- Creator: Connects people through content or products (e.g. food blogger, food stylist, curator, content creator, consumer packaged goods entrepreneur, etc.)
- Innovator: Uses tools or tech to solve challenges (e.g. inventor, researcher, product developer, intrapreneur, etc.)
- Culinarian: Demonstrates cooking artistry (e.g. chef, home cook, caterer, etc.)
- Hospitality Maven: Architect of professionalism and excellence in guest experience (e.g., front-of-house operations, general managers, food and beverage managers, and guest relations experts)
- Trailblazer: Pioneers through groundbreaking contributions (e.g. pioneer, vanguard, etc.)
- Amplifier: Elevates food system stories (e.g. journalist, author, photographer, podcaster, filmmaker, etc.)
- Beverage Master: Advances spirits, wine, and beer industry (e.g. sommelier, mixologist, bar owner, beer maker/brewer, wine and spirit maker, vineyard manager, etc.)
- Corporate Champion: Shapes inclusive food opportunities (e.g. branding and marketing professional, buyer, research and development professional, diversity & inclusion professional, sustainability strategist, etc.)
- Restaurateur: Launches impactful restaurants (e.g. Owner-operators of restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, cloud kitchens or mobile food services)
Eligibility
- Anyone who self-identifies as a Black woman in any country around the world can apply
- They should demonstrate significant accomplishment(s) in one of the award categories.
Nomination
All nominations must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on January 31, 2026.
For more information, visit Black Women in Food Awards.
