In 2018, Wilma finished her training at the ONAOO. She was in charge of buying Mediterranean products, including olive oil. Being Dutch, she didn’t know much about olive oil and found a school in Italy.
She loved it so much that she left her job and started working in the olive oil business. She also trained as a sommelier in New York and a master miller in Jaen. She asked the Ministry to appoint her as panel leader at the European Union. She wrote the book “Olive Oil,” which has been translated into English, French, and German.
Her book encourages olive oil lovers to meet in Imperia. O.N.A.O. is a big family! He also founded the Olive Oil Institute, which has a panel of fifteen members, most of whom were trained by O.N.A.O.O. The Institute has an electronic nose, so that testing can be done objectively. Some universities are also trying a similar method. This should improve quality overall. But the panel will always exist because human judgment is needed.
In 2019, Diana and her husband initiated the establishment of a modest olive grove in the Marche region of Italy.
As a result of the substantial increase in production, they made the decision to sell their business in the Netherlands. Currently, the company’s exclusive focus is on the production of extra virgin olive oil in Italy under the Di Lorenzetto brand, which is renowned for its superior quality.
To further refine the quality of their oil and gain a deeper understanding of the varieties, flavors, health properties, and defects of olive oil, Diana decided to embark on a training course. She began with a tasting course in Madrid, followed by a technical course and an advanced one at O.N.A.O.O., concluding her studies in november 2024 with the qualification of Professional Taster. In 2024, she also obtained her olive oil sommelier certification at the International Culinary Institute in New York.
Since 2019, Diana has been a member of the Olive Oil Institute panel from the Netherlands. She also regularly conducts workshops and masterclasses for schools, chefs, amateur cooks, and olive oil enthusiasts in the Netherlands and Italy.
Since 2020, I have been dedicated to promoting and distributing Italian extra virgin olive oil in the Korean market.
I started a direct import business, carefully selecting high-quality artisanal producers with the goal of introducing Korean consumers to the excellence of Italian EVOO.
Currently, I supply my products to department stores and fine dining restaurants, and I collaborate with renowned chefs to highlight the use of EVOO in cuisine.
My work combines passion, expertise, and a strong commitment to spreading the culture of quality olive oil.
The training courses I completed with ONAOO have been a fundamental turning point in my professional journey.
The knowledge and accurate information I gained during these courses have greatly supported my current activities, helping me communicate the value of extra virgin olive oil with greater awareness and expertise.
This training continues to be an important resource that enriches my daily work and strengthens my commitment to promoting the culture of quality olive oil.
Independent Middle East Researcher
I completed my professional training with ONAOO (Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio di Oliva), having had a truly positive and enriching experience. The program deepened my expertise in sensory analysis, olive varieties, production standards, and quality evaluation, strengthening my ability to identify and appreciate high-quality extra virgin olive oil with precision.
Thank you so much to everyone for such a wonderful journey from the bottom of my heart.
Michelle, born in 1997, graduated in Business Administration in the University of Studies in Torino. In 2020 passed the selective trials at the end of the Official Technical Course for Olive Oil Tasters obtaining the Certificate of Physiological Suitability for Tasting. In 2022, after passing the advanced course’s exam, she became a Professional Taster of ONAOO. Currently she has been working in the family olive oil mill, F.lli Ruata S.p.a., in Baldissero d’Alba (Cuneo, Piedmont).
In 2018, Wilma finished her training at the ONAOO. She was in charge of buying Mediterranean products, including olive oil. Being Dutch, she didn’t know much about olive oil and found a school in Italy.
She loved it so much that she left her job and started working in the olive oil business. She also trained as a sommelier in New York and a master miller in Jaen. She asked the Ministry to appoint her as panel leader at the European Union. She wrote the book “Olive Oil,” which has been translated into English, French, and German.
Her book encourages olive oil lovers to meet in Imperia. O.N.A.O. is a big family! He also founded the Olive Oil Institute, which has a panel of fifteen members, most of whom were trained by O.N.A.O.O. The Institute has an electronic nose, so that testing can be done objectively. Some universities are also trying a similar method. This should improve quality overall. But the panel will always exist because human judgment is needed.
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.
The 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".
Participants learn about varieties, processing, and sensory tasting, with practical exercises under the guidance of experts.
Participants are invited to recognize strengths, weaknesses, qualities and organoleptic characteristics of the various oils