Berk is a researcher at the World Bank with a PhD in economics.

He has been an ONAOO Professional Taster since 2022. His partner, Sarah Baird, and he have young olive trees in the South Island of New Zealand (Aotearoa) and they hope to produce extra virgin olive oil from their grove.

They live with two dogs and two sheep, love animals, and enjoy plant-based cooking.

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.

Alex, a native food enthusiast and skilled chef from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, runs a restaurant called Alessandro Mediterranean, which offers a wide array of delectable Mediterranean dishes.

Driven by his passion for European cuisine, Alex has also established a European gourmet food store. This store specializes in various European food products and tableware, with a particular emphasis on Italian cuisine. It aims to bring authentic European flavors to its customers by providing high-quality ingredients, handcrafted products, and elegant silverware, creating a unique dining experience. Alex honed his skills in this area as a professional olive oil taster by completing his training in ONAOO in 2018. He also serves as a trainer for the Specialty Coffee Association.

With these skills, he ensures that customers receive the finest products and services. To help customers understand European culinary culture better, Alex’s store regularly hosts cooking and coffee classes and wine-tasting events. These activities allow customers to learn how to create authentic European dishes hands-on and bring the Italian lifestyle to their homes.

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.