Nina is a dedicated olive oil nerd with a passion and mission to spread the knowledge about and access to high-quality EVOO in Denmark. She has been an ONAOO Professional Taster since 2022. Nina owns “Oliviers & Co.” in Denmark with her partner.

The business was established in 2019 after Nina had been working in the Copenhagen boutique shop on and off since 2006, next to her university studies. Nina disseminates knowledge about EVOO at the two “Oliviers & Co.” boutique shops in Copenhagen. Customers are guided and can sample the extensive range of olive oils from reputable producers with full traceability, along with other Mediterranean delicacies.

The shops are located in Frederiksberg and in the food market “TorvehallerneKBH”. She also teaches about olive oil at monthly olive oil tastings in the boutique and at events. Additionally, she oversees the online operations of the “Oliviers & Co.” web shop – oliviersogco.dk – and its associated social media channels, where she engages with consumers about olive oil. Nina holds a degree in Public Health and Food Policy from a university.

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.

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.

Stig has been Senior Brand Manager at Haugen-Gruppen AS, the largest food import company in Norway.

He has worked in the food sector for more than 25 years, in companies such as Nestlé, Mars, and Haugen-Gruppen AS. He started working with olive oil in 2000 when he joined Haugen-Gruppen as a Key Account Manager. He sold olive oil to the main retail chains in Norway. For 15 years he has been a brand manager in the retail sector.

For 3 years he has been a brand manager in the food service sector. In 2015, he took a technical course for olive oil tasters and started training to become a professional taster. He has participated in international meetings for “ONAOO tasters” since 2017.

He has taken part in many olive harvests and presses in Spain, Italy and Greece in the last 12 years to get to know the different “cultures” of olive oil production (from small producers to large ones) and to understand the differences. He has been teaching Norwegians about olive oil by tasting it with managers of big companies, shop managers, journalists, salespeople, and others. He now runs his own company, Lukt, Smak og Nyt (Smell, Taste and Enjoy), teaching consumers how to select and use extra virgin olive oil.