In 1997 Olive Business planted an olive grove, with the aim of producing extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality. We explore this legacy of olive oil production and how it has led to an international olive oil appreciation movement.
For 16 years Olive Business through its subsidiary Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes, has brought together the world’s best extra virgin olive oils for tasting, initially in Australia and now all over the world – UK, USA, Italy, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand. In addition to evaluating flavours, the three-day programme covers the olive oil market, quality regulations, culinary uses, health benefits and competitions.
The knowledge and tasting skill of participants are tested through a series of exercises covering varietal identification, defects, intensity rankings and comparative flavours. Those achieving 60% are awarded Associate Savante and those scoring over 80% are granted Savante status. Participants range from small and large producers, multi-nationals, small and large retailers, distributors, administrators, food media, and chefs.
Recent developments include co-organising National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Team Tasting Championships in the USA and Spain. Negotiations are well underway with Canada, France, Italy, Greece and Jordan to hold national championships and send teams to compete in the World Team Tasting Championship in Spain in 2018.
In addition, Savantes co-organises the annual Olive Oil Conference in the USA with the aim of encouraging greater use of healthy olive oil over other vegetable oils.
To spread the use of the healthy extra virgin olive oil in food, Savantes has teamed up with the English chefs Olly Rouse and Joe Gould to launch ‘Savantes and The Cuisiniers’ in the UK in early June 2017. This initiative will be conducted at a cooking school and over 2 days will cover both flavour and use in traditional and modern cuisine. A skills test will also be introduced to certify ‘Culinary Savantes’.
Olive Business does not accept sponsorship or any government or institutional funds. It is funded entirely by registration fees for its programmes and events. It selects the extra virgin olive oils on merit by scanning the competition winners in all growing regions, and invites producers to send them for evaluation. Savantes does not promote any brand or recommend any products. This independence and objectivity has earned the respect and trust of olive oil producers, distributors and users worldwide.
Ultimately, through its tasting programmes and championships Savantes gives young participants the opportunity to have their skills recognised, assisting in career advancement and the introduction of fresh ideas into a very traditional industry. Savantes also fosters mutual respect for the products of different regions and countries.
LUX Media Release
United Kingdom, 2016-
LUX magazine announces the winners of the 2016 Food & Drink Awards.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life food and drink plays a crucial role, and it is vital that every aspect of this is more than just an experience: it needs to be truly perfect. From the quality of the produce to the preparation and serving, there are many people and businesses involved in putting together a good spread, although many are often overlooked.
As such the Food & Drink Awards 2016 acknowledges outstanding performance within the food and drink industry. Every day, food and drink companies across the world provide their customers and consumers with excellent service, and we have recognised these companies and reward them for their services in this prestigious awards programme.
Discussing the awards, Awards Coordinator Katherine Benton, said: “Food and drink is a key part of the hospitality industry, and the dedicated firms and the individuals that drive them whose role it is to prepare and serve our meals work diligently to ensure that every detail is just right. I am very proud of each and every one of my winners, and I would like to wish them the best of luck going forward.”
To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit http://lux.acquisition-intl.com/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.
Notes to editors.
About LUX
Published quarterly, LUX informs readers on all aspects of high end lifestyle, including the finest, food and drink, hotels and resorts, health and beauty, automotive, jewellery, art and technology from around the world
http://lux.acquisition-intl.com/2016-lux-food-and-drink-awards-2016