Maria was born in Salento and lives between Busto Arsizio, Rome and San Remo. She has had a career in public administration for 28 years, in a municipality and a ministry.

Maria works freelance as a journalist, PR, communicator, writer, event organizer. She has written books in teams and individually, and has edited several texts and volumes. She is a member of ONAOO and became a Professional Oil Taster at the ONAOO School in 2017.

She is also a chocolate taster in the Lindt panel. For the last six years she has been working in the oil industry as a producer, taster, communicator and event organizer.

Through my company Oliiv, I import, introduce, and sell high-quality extra virgin olive oil in Estonia, primarily through an online store and curated experiences. The website and e-shop provide the opportunity to learn more about each product and make informed purchases.

My activities include guided tastings, culinary pairings, and cultural events — from intimate gatherings at home to market events and musical evenings with olive-oil-based cocktails. The goal is always to spark curiosity and offer enjoyable and educational experiences centered on olive oil.

In a country where butter dominates the cuisine, there is great potential to show how olive oil can be part of a healthy, joyful Mediterranean lifestyle. For this reason, collaboration with chefs and cooking schools is becoming an important part of my work.

Looking ahead, I am particularly interested in engaging with the international olive oil community. Participating in global competitions — both as a taster and as a judge — is one of my aspirations. It is a valuable way to continue learning, contribute to quality standards, and bring new ideas and energy to the Estonian market.

We venture into the culinary world not just for taste, but also for culture. It means experiencing a moment of insight, a flash of memory, or understanding a tradition, a civilization. — Umberto Eco

Hilda is a certified Professional Olive Oil Taster since 2017 and a student with ONAOO since 2014.

She is a passionate home cook and baker always looking for new ways to use extra virgin olive oil in her kitchen.

She has published a Mediterranean cookbook, is a distributor of Olive oil (evirginoliveoils.com), has a food blog with lots of recipes (iwanttocookthat.com) and a YouTube channel (@iwanttocookthat3059).

CEO & Co-Founder The O Collection

I began the ONAOO tasting course initially in March 2023. After passing the first stage, I then transitioned into the two-year advanced course in October 2023, and completed the course in November 2025.

Olive oil is far more than a food – it’s a world of culture, community, science, and craftsmanship. I’m grateful to be part of this journey of discovery, deepening my understanding, and sharing that knowledge with others.