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Join Forces to Raise Awareness of What Distinguishes Quality European Extra
Virgin Olive Oil
Two non-profit consortia, passionately dedicated to raising the standards of extra virgin olive oil
produced in Spain and Italy respectively, QVExtra! International and CEQ Italia, have joined forces
in a special campaign to share this knowledge with chefs and consumers. Spain and Italy - two of
the best-known producers of high-quality extra virgin olive oil - possess a vast knowledge about
what is superior EVOO. The initiative is financed by the EU.
New York, NY, December 03, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Most Americans already love extra virgin olive oil
(EVOO) for its flavor and versatility. But not all of them are aware of the range of flavors and quality that
extra virgin olive oils can possess, based on how its produced and stored, the varietal of olives or where it
originates.
They may not know how to distinguish the best quality extra virgin olive oils (especially in an ordinary
grocery store) or the best way to cook with it. And above all, they may not know what they are missing.
Two non-profit consortia, passionately dedicated to raising the standards of extra virgin olive oil
produced in Spain and Italy respectively, QVExtra! International and CEQ Italia, have joined forces in a
special campaign to share this knowledge with chefs and consumers in the U.S. Spain and Italy - two of
the best-known producers of high-quality extra virgin olive oil - share a vast storehouse of knowledge
about what makes great olive oil, and how to make it even better. The initiative is financed with aid from
the European Union, which supports ventures that promote high quality agricultural products.
The friendly competition between members of the European Union and the producers, pushes all
members to continue to improve and raise their standards. As part of their mission, they also educate
culinary professionals and consumers about production and authenticity through a series of lectures,
demonstrations and tastings.
This Fall, in a series of seminars in Boston, Providence, and New York, olive oil expert Marco Petrini
discussed production methods and standards, benefits and the role of extra virgin olive oil in the
Mediterranean diet, key elements in determining quality, how terroir influences flavor profiles, and how
to cook with EVOO.
Depending on the variety, the extra virgin olive oil has its own distinct character - fruity or aromatic,
sweet or bitter, with differing intensity of the spicy aftertaste.
These extra virgin olive oils all have their own nuances, contrasts and flavors, but what they have in
common is that their production has been closely controlled - from the flower to the bottle - with the main
aim of providing the highest possible quality. Petrini was joined by EVOO experts Alfonso Fernández
López from Spain and Natalia Ravida from Italy.
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There were also cooking demonstrations as part of these seminars: Italian Culinary Expert and Iron Chef
America Judge, Mario Rizzotti, and Spanish chef Antonio Ortuño collaborated on a special menu that
explores specific pairings, preparing several dishes each - using oils with a range of flavor profiles from
mild to spicy.
The seminars were interactive: culinary students and industry professionals had the opportunity to taste
different EVOOs, taste dishes that the chefs prepared, and ask questions. Activities for attendees included
developing, implementing, and discussing their own recipes.
In addition, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge of basic facts
before and after the training.
Seminar: Monday, November 12 attracted a robust and interested audience of culinary enthusiasts.
On Sunday, November 11, there was an in-store tasting at Eataly Boston (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston
St, Boston, MA 02199), from 4 pm - 6 pm, that attracting throngs of interested foodies and cooks.
Dinner: A dinner was hosted at Sarto, a new restaurant led by Chef Robert Andreozzi, a 2012 graduate of
JWU Denver, who worked at Del Posto, Frasca, and Blue Hill Stone Barns. Sarto is located at 86
Dorrance Street, Providence.
Thursday, November 15, there was an in-store tasting at Eataly, downtown, NYC featuring extra virgin
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olive oil tastings.
Address: 462 Broadway NY, NY 10013 (Between Broadway and Spring Street), 2nd Floor
CEQ Italia, Consorzio di garanzia dell'olio extra vergine di oliva di qualità, http://ceqitalia.com/it/,
promotes the culture of Italian extra virgin olive oil, guaranteeing quality by supporting initiatives and
programs that advance research and quality improvement. They maintain that quality can only be
guaranteed where there is close cooperation between producers, bottlers, distributors and retailers and
careful monitoring by independent experts and laboratories, including compliance with consortium
procedures, checks on quality and authenticity, traceability and documentation. Members adhere to strict
guidelines to maintain their standing in the consortium. In addition, the consortium provides transparent
and objective connection concerning the relationship between quality and price, that can be clearly
explained to the consumer.
Alfonso Fernández López, owner and founder of Sabor de España, is an international trader of the finest
foods from Spain, including Extra Virgin Olive Oil, handmade EVOO crackers, and Spanish-infused
truffle EVOO. The “biggest competitor to olive oil is ignorance,” he says and thus, education is one of his
primary goals. He has instructed journalists, chefs and their teams, culinary students from Spain and
around the world, and at places such as Jaleo and Bazaar (by Jose Andres), New York Times headquarter,
and the Google office in Manhattan.
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Chef Antonio Ortuño is a Spanish chef who works as a private chef in New York, focused on traditional
Spanish, Mediterranean and healthy food with a contemporary touch. His roots are in the Western
Mediterranean Coast (Alicante), where he was born. He is a contributing chef at FoodChannel.com and
has cooked for many pop-up events including Almodovar's Night, a MoMA retrospective and “Spain to
Table” in Tokyo.
Marco Petrini, president of Monini USA, manages the U.S. market introduction and growth of Monini
NA, distinguishing the Italian EVOO brand through its superior quality and cultural pedigree. He
identified the need to create awareness, educate, and communicate the taste and nutritional benefits of
EVOO through consistent outreach to culinary professionals. He has been recognized by the American
Culinary Foundation with an Honorary Degree in Culinary Arts and holds a Diploma from the Olive Oil
Tasting Panel Association MICO (Tuscany). He has been a guest lecturer at Johnson & Wales University.
Natalia Ravida is president and owner of RAVIDA' Azienda Agricola, an Italian olive oil producer. She
left a career as an international print, radio and television journalist, to develop a quality olive oil brand,
RAVIDA, out of the oil produced on the family estate in Menfi, Sicily. Natalia works full time in her
family's olive oil business, combining brand promotion with farm tours, olive oil tastings and cooking
classes. She is the author of a cookbook, "Seasons of Sicily."
Mario Rizzotti is an Italian culinary expert, TV personality and brand ambassador. He is a judge for Iron
Chef America. He most recently judged Michael Symon, Marc Forgione, Bobby Flay and others. Mario
travels around the US to educate Americans on the many differences in EVOO and on how to taste it the
professional way: no bread allowed. He has been seen alongside celebrity chef Art Smith, Food Network
star Ted Allen, Vogue Food Critic Jeffrey Steingarten, Martin Yan, and many others.
The content of this press release represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility.
The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency
(CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
Press Contact:
Leeann Lavin: foodanddrinkny@gmail.com
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Contact Information:
Duchess Designs
Leeann Lavin
732-500-7121
Contact via Email
http://gardenglamour-duchessdesigns.blogspot.com/
foodanddrinkny@gmail.com
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