Online Course

online
A real experience to take your first steps in the world of the oil supply cha...

Official Technical Course

31 Mar / 
4 Apr
Imperia
Have a good nose and be a foodie are not sufficient features to become a prof...

Table Olives Course

5 May / 
7 May
Imperia
The ONAOO "Table Olives" course provides a comprehensive introduction to this...
Danielle Smith
( Italia )
Danielle Smith
41 Danielle Smith

PROFILE:

Danielle was born in England, but she has lived in Italy for over 35 years.

After obtaining a degree in history, she began working in tourism. Her passion for olives started with the olive grove around her hotel on Lake Como. Later, due to a challenge with her husband, she decided to open an olive mill high in the mountains at 1816 meters in Livigno. From there, she began her adventure in the world of extra virgin olive oil with her company “O’Liv”.

Prior to establishing the company, he attended ONAOO’s technical course in 2020 to expand his knowledge.

During the course, she developed a passion for oil tasting and qualified to join the national list of virgin and extra virgin olive oil technicians and experts in 2022. Following the two-year advanced training course, she became a professional olive oil taster in 2024. She frequently attends ONAOO’s tasting sessions as she believes that training is essential for personal and professional growth as a taster.

Country:

Italia

City:

Como, Italia

Webpage:

--

email:

info@olivlivigno.com

Browse the profile of these other International Registry Members or return to the complete list.

Veronica Puhk

Veronica started her career in Estonia as a Marketing Manager for one of the World’s biggest cosmetics companies.

After having her first baby in 2016, she replaced her high heels with Hunter boots and purchased a small farm in Italy to become an olive grower. Now she imports her family’s extra virgin olive oil to Estonia: CASA FONTESTATE. Every bottled harvest has a new label design from one of Estonia’s famous artists, which makes it a unique and memorable shopping experience every year.

She is a Professional Taster certified by ONAOO; in London she completed a Program to become an Olive Oil Sommelier.

Elena Tordi

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.

Maria Antonietta Palumbo

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.

Massimo Epifani

Massimo Epifani is a doctor of agriculture.

He works as a lecturer and consultant. He was born professionally at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Perugia, specializing in planning toward innovation and development of the agribusiness sector. He participates as an expert in television programs such as Linea Verde (RAI-TV).

His latest works include scientific contributions to the Enogastronomic Guide “Lungo le vie dell’Evo” (Michelin editions) and the book “La Via dell’Olio” (Edizioni Alinari), which he authored.

He is a lecturer at the University for Foreigners of Perugia and teaches Master’s degrees on the popularization and valorization of extra virgin olive oil. He is also the creator of the Bicolio, a practical tasting glass that is disposable and compostable.

International Register

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Registration in the register is an authentic value, not only added, but fundamental, for the definition of an effective and convincing business profile

This membership opens the door to all the possibilities that the world of oil offers to the tasting professional.

Official Technical Course

The first step into the world of Tasting

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 course is open to everyone, even to those without any experience in the oil sector.

Participants who pass the four selective tests receive a Certificate of Physiological Suitability for Tasting.

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Advanced Course

an in-depth knowledge of sensory analysis

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".

The ONAOO advanced course, aimed at inclusion 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

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Table Olives Course

Sensory and Technical Experience Table Olives

Participants learn about varieties, processing, and sensory tasting, with practical exercises under the guidance of experts.

Sensory and Technical Experience Table Olives

Participants learn about varieties, processing, and sensory tasting, with practical exercises under the guidance of experts.

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Online Courses

ONLINE INDIVIDUAL PREPARATORY COURSE FOR OLIVE OIL TASTING.

To learn how to taste an olive oil directly from your home.

An individual lesson with a tasting professional

A real experience to take the first steps in the world of the oil supply chain and oil tasters.

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Certified Tasting Days

ASPIRING OLIVE OIL TASTER

Participants are invited to recognize strengths, weaknesses, qualities and organoleptic characteristics of the various oils

Attestation issued by a Panel Head

A practical test in which everything learned during the technical course is applied in practice.

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Official Technical Course
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Official Technical Course

The first step into the world of tasting

A true expert of "liquid gold" is distinguished from a simple amateur by virtue of his training.

Advanced Course

An in-depth study of sensory analysis

It allows you to consolidate and deepen your knowledge on oil tasting and inclusion in the "International Register of Professional Tasters".

Online courses

INDIVIDUAL ONLINE COURSE PREPARATORY FOR TASTING OLIVE OIL.

To learn how to taste olive oil directly from your home.

Certified Tasting Sessions

Certificate issued by a Panel Leader

Certified tasting sessions, held in the manner and within the times required by current legislation.

Table Olives Course

Sensorial and Technical Experience Table Olives

Certified tasting sessions, held in the manner and within the times required by current legislation.

Corso Tecnico Ufficiale

Il primo passo nel mondo dell'Assaggio

Un vero esperto dell”oro liquido” si distingue da un semplice amatore in virtù della sua formazione.

Corso Avanzato

un approfondimento del sapere sull’analisi sensoriale

Consente di consolidare e approfondire le conoscenze sull’assaggio degli oli e l'inserimento nel “Registro Internazionale Assaggiatori Professionisti”.

Corsi Online

CORSO ONLINE INDIVIDUALE PROPEDEUTICO ALL’ASSAGGIO DELL'OLIO DI OLIVA.

Per imparare ad assaggiare un olio di oliva direttamente da casa tua.

Sedute di Assaggio Certificate

Attestazione rilasciata da un Capo Panel

Sedute di assaggio certificate, tenute nei modi e nei tempi previsti dalla normativa vigente.

Corso Olive da Tavola

Esperienza Sensoriale e Tecnica Olive da Tavola

Sedute di assaggio certificate, tenute nei modi e nei tempi previsti dalla normativa vigente.