Last night was a very special night for me as I won a category in Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year, a competition I hold in high regard.

What made last night even more special is that I won this award with an image taken for All We Can, the wonderful charity I work for. The image was taken in Cameroon.

The image that won the award shows four little feet and a bowl of stew. This image was taken on a wet day in Cameroon as dedicated mother Anna served up a warming stew to her three daughters. Anna is one of the widows All We Can has supported through the work of its local partner in the country. She was assisted with small-business training and is now able to better support her young family.

Me with Anna (who made the stew) in Cameroon

I love taking images of people connecting with food. A meal shared can be one of the most humbling experiences when spending time with communities facing poverty. A meal, whether it be honey and bread on the floor of a hut in Ethiopia or a rich curry served on a coconut leaf in India, is a shared human experience. An opportunity for conversation and connection even in the most difficult circumstances.

Winning the award means a lot to me because it recognises the shared connection we all have as human beings, the difference charities like All We Can are making, and our role as positive ambassadors of visual storytelling.

The category was also sponsored by Action Against Hunger, which meant that a proportion of entry fees went some way to helping more people address hunger.

I am humbled to receive this accolade – but being honest, the best prize is getting to do the kind of work I do.

At the awards ceremony at the Mall Galleries in London, 2017.