Guy started his educational path with the technical course at ONAOO in 2021 and ended in 2024 by earning the qualification of professional taster. During this period, he further expanded his skillset by attending courses at other institutes in Italy and at the New York Olive Oil Times, obtaining certification as an olive oil sommelier.

He is the owner of “Frantoiani”, a company specialising in the selection and importation of high-quality extra virgin olive oil from various regions in Italy. The company’s product range includes approximately 20 artisanal producers and 45 labels, enabling Guy to provide advice to enthusiasts and gourmets through direct sales in his store in Mechelen, Belgium, and through his e-commerce platform. The company also supplies restaurants and wine shops with fine Italian olive oils.

Additionally, Guy is an expert in the field, regularly conducting masterclasses on extra virgin olive oil and food pairing for both private and commercial audiences, as well as culinary schools. His passion for olive oil drives him to share his knowledge and introduce people to this fascinating and flavourful world. In addition to his oil business, Guy owns a winery under the brand name “Suedtiroler” and serves as a forensic accountant.

Professional Taster since 2024

Marco’s academic credentials—a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Banking, a Master’s degree in Family Mediation, and twenty years of work at a banking institution—did not dissuade him from pursuing a new career path in 2016.

His roots were firmly planted in his family’s olive grove in upper Tuscia (meaning the Viterbese area and generally upper Lazio). From an early age, this location represented leisure, feasting, and conviviality during the harvesting and oil production seasons.

As he matured, he embarked on a new adventure with the goal of emulating his Etruscan ancestors, the first true ambassadors of the culture of olive oil of exceptional quality. He pursued his education primarily through the large family of ONAOO and in March 2022, he graduated as a Professional Taster.

For the past three years, he has been based in Bavaria, where he runs a business offering both advisory services to specialty retailers and restaurateurs and the import and sale of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Nicola Lotito, born in 1960, Lives in Andria (BT). Nicola has been employed by Azienda Pellegrino S.r.l. since 1990, where he currently serves as Technical Manager in the production sector.

In addition to his managerial duties, Nicola oversees bottling operations with a small team of collaborators. In 1991, he attended the extra virgin olive oil tasting course organized by ONAOO, and in 1992, he obtained the diploma of professional taster with mention of merit. Since 2015, he has been included in the Apulia Region’s Master Oilman Register.

Since 1992, Nicola has attended refresher courses for oil tasters. He participates in numerous trade fairs and workshops and also organizes farm incoming for national and foreign delegations and for schools of different orders. Nicola is a member of the national project “BIMBOIL,” for which he coordinates and facilitates tasting classes for elementary schools.