
Valentina, born in Verona in 1989, has been studying with ONAOO since 2020. With a degree in Food Science and Technology and ten years of experience in the industry as a quality control specialist, she has developed a strong passion for extra virgin olive oil and its unique flavours and aromas.
To deepen her knowledge and refine her tasting technique, she decided to undertake a training course.
After completing the official technical course and passing the two-year advanced course exam, she earned the qualification of professional taster from ONAOO and is now registered as an international professional taster.
Agricultural Engineer, graduate of Ege University Faculty of Agriculture (Dairy Technology), currently engaged in olive cultivation and olive oil production.
I successfully completed the sensory training program at ONAOO and passed the official examination in Imperia, Italy, gaining formal qualification in olive oil sensory analysis in 2025. As olive growing and olive oil production are my profession, I wanted to further develop myself and gain deeper knowledge from one of the world’s leading institutions. My aim is to better understand olive oil, to express it correctly through sensory analysis, and to be able to communicate its true value with accuracy and confidence.
Ellen Wu is a Professional Taster of ONAOO since 2013. She imports olive oil in Taiwan. She handles marketing and education in her company.
She teaches olive oil tasting classes to chefs, salespeople, consumers, teachers, and students.
She wants to educate people and consumers about different olive oil products. She must also teach Taiwanese people about the nutrition and health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, and help them understand different types of olive oils based on their taste.
I have been a member of the Panel in the Marche Region since 2017. I am registered in the list of olive oil technicians and experts at the Ancona Chamber of Commerce, Regional Decree no. 268 dated 09/06/2015.
I attended the professional tasters’ course, lasting three years (2015/2016/2017), at Onaoo. I have participated as a taster in various olive oil events, both at an amateur level and as a jury member. I have collaborated with Onaoo as a coach for both individual and group online courses.
Being part of this association means sharing values of quality, expertise, and continuous training. It is an opportunity for professional growth and qualified exchange, allowing me to share my experience while actively contributing to the promotion of extra virgin olive oil culture.
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
Valentina, born in Verona in 1989, has been studying with ONAOO since 2020. With a degree in Food Science and Technology and ten years of experience in the industry as a quality control specialist, she has developed a strong passion for extra virgin olive oil and its unique flavours and aromas.
To deepen her knowledge and refine her tasting technique, she decided to undertake a training course.
After completing the official technical course and passing the two-year advanced course exam, she earned the qualification of professional taster from ONAOO and is now registered as an international professional taster.
Training as professional olive oil tasters is not only a personal pleasure: the universe that revolves around olive oil and its supply chain also offers a wide range of job, growth and specialization opportunities.
Participants who pass the four selective tests receive a Certificate of Physiological Suitability for Tasting.
DiscoverThe advanced course allows you to consolidate and deepen your knowledge of oil tasting and obtain the qualification of ONAOO Professional Taster, but above all, to be included in the "International Register of Professional Tasters".
Qualified national and international organizations and companies in the sector draw from the Register to find experts in the sector to include in their entrepreneurial realities
DiscoverParticipants learn about varieties, processing, and sensory tasting, with practical exercises under the guidance of experts.
Participants learn about varieties, processing, and sensory tasting, with practical exercises under the guidance of experts.
DiscoverTo learn how to taste an olive oil directly from your home.
A real experience to take the first steps in the world of the oil supply chain and oil tasters.
DiscoverParticipants are invited to recognize strengths, weaknesses, qualities and organoleptic characteristics of the various oils
A practical test in which everything learned during the technical course is applied in practice.
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