Before transitioning into the world of olive oil, I spent many years in the corporate e-commerce world. My experience in the olive oil sector is rooted in hands-on agricultural work and a deep personal connection to my Mediterranean heritage. Since 2018, our family has managed a 35-hectare olive farm in Milas, Bodrum, where we restored 13,000 wild Memecik trees, established water sources, and revived the groves. Our first harvest in 2020 resulted in a small batch of exceptional extra virgin olive oil — turning what began as a search for tranquillity into a full immersion in olive cultivation. Building on this foundation, we launched our brands, The O Collection and 341r, both dedicated to celebrating the olive tree and its diverse uses across food, wellness, and lifestyle. Our early-harvest olive oil has since received international recognition for its balanced flavour profile and quality. Alongside production, I have deepened my expertise through formal training, sensory education, and continuous work on the farm, culminating in my official certification as an olive oil taster. Today, our self-sustaining farmhouse also hosts farm-to-table experiences, reflecting my commitment to quality, sustainability, and the cultural heritage of olive oil.
I have recently transitioned my base to Mumbai and currently spend half my time there, where my focus is on educating Indian consumers about the benefits and quality attributes of extra virgin olive oil. After establishing my brand in Germany, I am now working toward expanding across Europe, India and Middle East. In parallel, one of the major projects is the development of our own production facility at our farm in Bodrum. Along with that, we’re currently in the process of developing our first cosmetic products and hope to launch an olive-oil based cream and soap beginning of next year.
Emily Lycopolus is an olive oil sommelier, professional olive oil taster, and author. She holds a degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, where she combined her love for science and discovery with a deep passion for food and flavors.
Additionally, she completed a master’s degree in cultural anthropology, transforming her kitchen into a space of exploration and learning. Her dedication to olive oil began in her husband’s family olive grove, an experience that marked the start of a career that now spans over 15 years. Emily has taught more than 500 culinary students and introduced numerous enthusiasts to the art of tasting and using olive oil. She is frequently consulted as an expert by retailers and food distributors for product category management, marketing strategies, and culinary pairings.
A faculty member at George Brown College, Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Emily is also the author of eight cookbooks, which have earned prestigious awards such as the Gourmand and Taste Canada Awards. Her books have been presented at the Nobel House in Sweden, further solidifying her esteemed reputation in the industry.
Thanks to her expert palate, Emily shares her passion for olive oil with consumers, producers, and serves as a judge in international olive oil competitions.
In Victoria, Canada, where she lives, she organizes private workshops, advanced courses, and guided tastings with the goal of educating both culinary professionals and retail experts on how to best utilize and promote this precious ingredient.
From 1988 to 1993 Sandro worked as a Buyer for “Despar Ceda Srl”. From 1993 to 1999 he worked as Category Manager for “Reggiana Alimentari”.
Since 1999 he has been Category Manager for “NORDICONAD”. From 2017 to 2020 he was Director for FIORFIORE CASH & CARRY Srl. From 2021 to 2022, he is Category Manager for CURACASA; from August 2022, he is the contact person for CONAD NORDOVEST Sales Management with the Localism Project.
Sandro has also been an ONAOO Professional Taster since 2012 and he is on the regional and national lists of olive oil experts.
Ece, born in Izmir, Turkey, in 1990, is a marketing entrepreneur and founder of Olizzi Olive Oils. Ece holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University and an MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, U.S. She began her professional career in the marketing department of Coca-Cola, where she gained valuable experience in brand management and consumer engagement.
Her passion for gastronomy and dining is rooted in the dynamic culinary scene of Istanbul, a city where she co-founded Sonradan Gurmeler, a food events group that organized activities and wrote for local newspapers and blogs.
These projects resulted in the publication of the book Yerim Seni İstanbul, which pays tribute to the rich food tradition of the Turkish capital. While residing in the United States, Ece founded Olizzi, inspired by her own Mediterranean origins and the ambition to promote high-quality Turkish olive oil on the international market. In addition to developing her brand, she further expanded her industry expertise by attending courses at O.N.A.O.O., where she qualified as a professional olive oil taster in 2024. Her interest in the sensory world also extends to honey, another food product of international significance exported from Turkey.
This product has caught her attention for its unique and beneficial properties. Ece is a firm believer in the principle that “you are what you eat,” which guides her commitment to health and the cultural significance of food. She is a natural marketing activist and superfood advocate, dedicated to promoting and sharing Turkey’s culinary treasures with the world. Her mission is to enhance the richness of Mediterranean cuisine and spread the health benefits of quality food products, focusing on innovative branding and an unwavering focus on authenticity.
Giuseppe was born in a small town in the province of Foggia, San Giovanni Rotondo.
For work reasons he moved to Campania, where he still lives today.
Strongly tied to the memories of his beloved Puglia, Giuseppe decides to open a farm to be able to carry on the family business to which his father has dedicated himself for more than 50 years; in the middle of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, every year 2,400 olive trees are finely selected in order to offer the best extra virgin olive oil.
In order to enrich his knowledge, Giuseppe decides to start his training course in the ONAOO School in 2018 and ended in 2021: after passing the exams of the Advanced Course, Giuseppe obtains the qualification of ONAOO Professional Taster.
In addition to the training activities, Giuseppe participated in the ONAOO Meeting in 2020 and other online tasting activities also organized by the School.
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.
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