He has been Senior Brand Manager at Haugen-Gruppen AS, the largest food import company in Norway, with particular attention to the import, sales and marketing of internationally known brands.

Working in the food sector for more than 25 years, in companies such as Nestlé, Mars and Haugen-Gruppen AS.

The interest in olive oil began when he joined Haugen-Gruppen in 2000, with the role of Key Account Manager, with the job of selling olive oil to the main retail chains in Norway. For 15 years he has played the role of brand manager in the retail sector and for 3 years he has been brand manager in the Food Service sector.

He attended a technical course for olive oil tasters in 2015 and immediately afterwards he started his training to become Professional Taster ONAOO 2016. Been participated in International Meetings for “ONAOO tasters” since 2017. He has participated in several olive collections and pressing in Spain, Italy and Greece over the past 12 years, to learn about the different “cultures” in olive oil production (from small producers to large-scale productions) and to understand the differences.

With his knowledge he has been carrying out olive oil tasting with managers of the main chains (both in the Food Service sector and in the retail sector), shop managers, journalists, private sales organizations, and individuals as often as possible, trying to make the Norwegians understand what extra virgin olive oil really is.

Now he runs his own company Lukt, smak og nyt (smell, taste and enjoy) teaching consumers how to select and use extra virgin olive oil as a part time job and hobby.

Claudia lives in Scuol (Switzerland) and in Dolceacqua in the province of Imperia, where she owns a land with olive trees. Since 2011 from these olive trees she produces extra virgin olive oil with the label “DONNA CLAUDIA”.

Registered since 2015 in the National List of technicians and experts of virgin and extra virgin olive oils – held by Mi.P.A.F.F. (Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies). Claudia obtained the qualification of ONAOO Professional Taster in 2017. She has been an importer of quality olive oil since 2016.

Claudia is also a Journalist for a Swiss Television – Hotel Manager – Museum Curator; she also works in the cultural sector.

Japanese-born, I’ve been living in several countries including 16 years in Italy to undertake my studies.

I grew professionally as Export Manager for the Mitsubishi Italia S.p.A., in the food sector, developing a great passion for good food especially for olive oil that became my main occupation.

Back in Japan, now I work as Procurement Manager for an important company specialized in cheese imports.

In 2016 I’ve started my path in ONAOO ended in 2022 by obtaining the qualification of Professional Taster.

I hope to keep working on my passion.

Alex, a native food enthusiast and skilled chef from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, runs a restaurant called Alessandro Mediterranean, which offers a wide array of delectable Mediterranean dishes.

Driven by his passion for European cuisine, Alex has also established a European gourmet food store.

This store specializes in various European food products and tableware, with a particular emphasis on Italian cuisine. It aims to bring authentic European flavors to its customers by providing high-quality ingredients, handcrafted products, and elegant silverware, creating a unique dining experience.

Alex honed his skills in this area as a professional olive oil taster by completing his training in ONAOO in 2018. He also serves as a trainer for the Specialty Coffee Association.

With these skills, he ensures that customers receive the finest products and services. To help customers understand European culinary culture better, Alex’s store regularly hosts cooking and coffee classes and wine-tasting events.

These activities allow customers to learn how to create authentic European dishes hands-on and bring the Italian lifestyle to their homes.