It will be the sixth edition of the groundbreaking course organized by the Olive Oil Times Education Lab in partnership with the International Culinary Center.
The Olive Oil Sommelier Certification Program will return to Campbell, California September 10 – 15. It will be the sixth edition of the groundbreaking course produced by the Olive Oil Times Education Lab in partnership with the International Culinary Center.
The six-day, two-level program features the world’s foremost olive oil experts and educators in a comprehensive series of lessons and workshops spanning production, quality management, and advanced sensory assessment.
Those who successfully complete the course receive olive oil sommelier certification and join a growing community of olive oil sensory analysts and educators.
So far, the program has offered five sessions in New York and one in California that saw students from every corner of the world — 22 countries in all.
Attendees have ranged from small producers to representatives of the very largest; from quality-control technicians to professional chefs and restaurateurs; from independent retailers to major distributors.
Over the course of the week, participants will be led through guided tastings of more than 130 samples of olive oil from more than two dozen countries by instructors from Italy, Greece, Chile, Spain, New York and California.
The interactive program spans the history and culture of olive oil, olive tree cultivation and harvesting, milling and production, health benefits and chemistry, quality management, culinary applications and food pairing and, of course, the sensory evaluation of extra virgin olive oil.
In fact, past participants of the program have wasted little time putting their expertise and connections to work around the world.
“Fabulous course with incredible amounts of information that can (and will) be used as a reference guide for years to come,” a producer from California who completed the six-day program said.
Another producer from Turkey said, “I have learned much more than I expected. It was a very well structured and organized course.”
“I thought it was excellent,” said Jacqueline Tyburski, a digital marketing strategist for a software and services company in Portland, Oregon. “The quality and range of instruction were at a level that far surpassed my expectations.”
Willem Voorvaart, a Dutch financial investor and part-time farmer who splits his time between London and France agreed. “I should have taken the course five years ago. Very instructive, good topics, well structured and excellent speakers,” he said.
To register for the program, visit the Olive Oil Times Education Lab website.
More articles on: education, Olive Oil Sommelier, organoleptic analysis
Feb. 23, 2024
Sommelier Program Returns to New York
The five-day program covers sensory assessment, production best practices, health and nutrition, culinary applications, quality assurance and more.
Aug. 2, 2023
Education Vital to Success of Turkey’s Olive Oil Sector, Award-Winning Producer Says
After winning 10 awards at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the producers behind Oliva Malia are keen to share the secrets of their success.
Oct. 17, 2023
Award-Winning Chilean Producer Eyes Lucrative Brazilian Market
Las Doscientos capitalizes on its reputation for quality and free trade advantage to expand its market share in Brazil.
Sep. 19, 2023
Training Young Farmers on Climate-Smart Practices in California
The Center for Land-Based Learning trains young farmers on olive growing and soil health.
Jul. 23, 2024
Fustiness, Rancidity Are the Most Common Defects in World Competition Submissions
Defects prevent olive oil from qualifying as an extra virgin, while diminishing its taste and health benefits.
Dec. 21, 2023
Climate Extremes, Economic Pressures Dampen 2023 Harvest, Survey Finds
Olive oil producers gave the 2023 harvest a dismal rating in terms of yields and quality.
Sep. 6, 2023
Festivals and Conferences Build Momentum for Pakistani Olive Oil Sector
In the six months since Pakistan held its inaugural Olive Gala Festival, officials said trees were planted, partnerships formed and more events scheduled.
Nov. 1, 2023
Olive Oil Sommelier Program Heads to London
The Olive Oil Times Education Lab returns to Central London with its five-day Sommelier Certificate Program.