Elena Tordi, the daughter of olive oil producers who have not been active since the 90s, represents the fourth generation of a family with a long-standing tradition in the art of olive cultivation. Born in Orvieto, Umbria, she has lived in Milan for over forty years.
As the administrative manager, she is a partner in her husband Daniele Arduino’s family business, “A Nolo Auto 1956”, which specializes in chauffeur services. The company serves prestigious clients, including five-star hotels and embassies from countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Since 2013, Elena has been a food writer and food blogger, deeply passionate about the culinary arts.
She is the author of the blog “Lumachella e Panettone”, where she shares stories about food, traditions, and the regions of Italy. Her passion for communication led her to study social media and web strategies at A.C. Academy. Olive oil, which holds deep personal significance for Elena due to its connection with her family’s past, has taken on a new meaning in her professional journey. Embracing the famous quote by the philosopher Socrates, “I know that I know nothing,” she embarked on a continuous path of learning and development in the field. She began reading books and attending conferences dedicated to olive oil, meeting Luigi Caricato, an oleologist, writer, and journalist, who became her guide in the world of olive oil.
In 2019, at the Olio Officina Festival, she discovered the ONAOO (National Organization of Olive Oil Tasters) school, an encounter that marked a significant step in her career. In 2022, she earned the certification in Physiological Suitability for Olive Oil Tasting and continued her studies with an advanced course that ended in 2024 by becoming a professional taster. Since February 2024, Elena has been listed in the national registry of technicians and experts in virgin and extra virgin olive oils, Lombardy section.
Her passion for olive oil and the olive tree has become a symbol of strength, values, and traditions, all of which were passed down to her by her mother Nives and her father Luigi, who instilled in her a deep love for this extraordinary world.
I have work with and sold EVOO to customers since 2018. The world of olive oil is growing in interest for the consumer, in which I care to help with.To keep learning and be updated in this field to share knowledge to the end consumers. For them to understand the importance of EVOO. Specially when it comes to the health aspect.
Demetris Taliotis is the Chief Olive Oil Obsessive at Aparthenasa, an award-winning agrocraft estate focusing on the production of terroir-driven extra virgin olive oil from Cyprus. He is a graduate of the prestigious Expert Course in Virgin Olive Oil Tasting of the University of Jaén and a jury member to numerous international olive oil competitions. His varied involvement with olive oil spans a multifarious career in agri-food and FMCG marketing, location and countryside management, and expansive research interests at the cross-sections of transversal agriculture, disruptive innovation, organoleptic variability and the cultural and creative industries.
Demetris firmly believes in the de-commodification of micro-produced olive oil, through the exploration and promotion of the variety and variability of its organoleptic profiles, in a way that enhances the sensorial pleasures consumers can relish from Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Alia has added a new skill to her culinary & gastronomy portfolio, being the first Egyptian female chef to hold a certificate as an advanced professional olive oil taster & sommelier from ONAOO Scuola in Liguria, Italy (The National Organization of Olive Oil Tasters).
Through her tasting skills & extensive practice, Alia has started a wave of awareness & tasting events across Cairo by partnering up with premium Egyptian olive oil brands as well as taking it internationally via harvest retreats/gastro-tourism across the Mediterranean.
Guests, chefs & enthusiasts are invited to explore the world of extra virgin olive oil by understanding the harvest process, touring olive groves, doing professional tasting sessions to look out for flavor notes & positive attributes of the different oil varieties and taste and pair each variety with different dishes through her curated menus.
I am very looking forward to continuing my educational journey into the world of olive oil with ONAOO and its network of tasters and professionals in the field, and also look forward to also educating more clients through my work.
O.N.A.O.O. President since 1997.
Elena Tordi, the daughter of olive oil producers who have not been active since the 90s, represents the fourth generation of a family with a long-standing tradition in the art of olive cultivation. Born in Orvieto, Umbria, she has lived in Milan for over forty years.
As the administrative manager, she is a partner in her husband Daniele Arduino’s family business, “A Nolo Auto 1956”, which specializes in chauffeur services. The company serves prestigious clients, including five-star hotels and embassies from countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Since 2013, Elena has been a food writer and food blogger, deeply passionate about the culinary arts.
She is the author of the blog “Lumachella e Panettone”, where she shares stories about food, traditions, and the regions of Italy. Her passion for communication led her to study social media and web strategies at A.C. Academy. Olive oil, which holds deep personal significance for Elena due to its connection with her family’s past, has taken on a new meaning in her professional journey. Embracing the famous quote by the philosopher Socrates, “I know that I know nothing,” she embarked on a continuous path of learning and development in the field. She began reading books and attending conferences dedicated to olive oil, meeting Luigi Caricato, an oleologist, writer, and journalist, who became her guide in the world of olive oil.
In 2019, at the Olio Officina Festival, she discovered the ONAOO (National Organization of Olive Oil Tasters) school, an encounter that marked a significant step in her career. In 2022, she earned the certification in Physiological Suitability for Olive Oil Tasting and continued her studies with an advanced course that ended in 2024 by becoming a professional taster. Since February 2024, Elena has been listed in the national registry of technicians and experts in virgin and extra virgin olive oils, Lombardy section.
Her passion for olive oil and the olive tree has become a symbol of strength, values, and traditions, all of which were passed down to her by her mother Nives and her father Luigi, who instilled in her a deep love for this extraordinary world.
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