How did your Lebanese upbringing spark your ardour for olive oil, and what led you to show that zeal into a worldwide craft-driven model?
Rising up in Lebanon, olive oil was by no means simply an ingredient, as an alternative shaping day by day life, shared tradition and collective heritage. Consequently, these traditions handed via household and land formed my palate and respect for olive oil early on. Later, once I was 9 years outdated, I traveled to Portugal and tasted olive oil utterly in contrast to house earlier than then. In that second, every part modified, as a result of I spotted olive oil may categorical origin, selection, and craftsmanship like wine so clearly. From then on, I understood olive oil as a real craft and career value dedicating my life to completely ahead. Consequently, I dedicated myself to mastering this liquid gold, finding out its 1,600 varieties, flavors and world origins with self-discipline worldwide. This path led me to turn out to be an olive oil sommelier, pursuing the craft professionally throughout a number of international locations over a few years. Alongside the best way, I labored with cooks like Joël Robuchon and taught at Le Cordon Bleu, refining my method regularly. Ultimately, I based my model within the UK to ignite a worldwide olive oil renaissance motion constructed on craft values.
Every little thing I do stays rooted in Lebanon, the place tradition, resilience, and entrepreneurship formed my values deeply and completely early. Furthermore, the Lebanese diaspora taught me to dream boldly, creating world success whereas staying linked to heritage emotionally creatively confidently.
What led you to depart a company and tech profession behind, and what finally pushed you to start out The Olive Oil Man?
I labored at PepsiCo worldwide headquarters in New York the place I learnt the necessities to succeed inside the fast-moving shopper items (FMCG) business. Then, my path deviated and I discovered myself working in tech startups. Presently, I regularly started to really feel much less fulfilled each professionally and personally.
I all the time knew that I needed to independently construct and go away my very own artistic imprint on this world. That’s why I made a decision to start out The Olive Oil Man. Nonetheless, none of it may have been achieved with out the assist of my household and family members who’ve always and unwaveringly supported me.
What frequent misconceptions about additional virgin olive oil have you ever encountered amongst customers and hospitality professionals?
One of the crucial frequent misconceptions is that there’s a single finest additional virgin olive oil, or that origin alone determines high quality and use. Many customers and even hospitality professionals assume olive oil is interchangeable, when in actuality every selection tastes utterly completely different and behaves otherwise with meals.
One other misunderstanding is ignoring pairing. Olive oil can dramatically change a dish. A easy Lebanese oil elevates hummus, whereas a extra bitter Italian fashion oil can overpower it. The reverse may also be true. It all the time is dependent upon the dish, stability, texture, custom and regional context.
There’s additionally confusion about origins. Whereas olive oil is usually linked to Italy, Spain or Greece, it really originates within the Jap Mediterranean. The Levant and the Phoenicians performed a central position in its early cultivation and commerce. At the moment, international locations like Tunisia stay among the many world’s largest producers, proving excellence will not be restricted to 1 area.
What’s your recommendation for cooks and restaurateurs on sourcing and utilizing olive oil?
My recommendation is straightforward and really clear: First, all the time examine the origin. You need to know precisely the place the olive oil comes from, which olive varieties are used and when it was pressed. If the bottle doesn’t clearly state this data, skip it. Second, prioritize freshness. Olive oil will not be meant to sit down on cabinets for years. Understanding the harvest and urgent date is crucial to high quality and taste. Third, select single origin oils solely. Many bottles available on the market are blends blended with commodity grade oils, which dilute taste and decrease high quality. Blends compromise authenticity, freshness, traceability and total requirements. Lastly, go one step additional and search for the particular village or property the place the oil was produced. The extra exact the origin, the extra reliable and expressive the olive oil shall be.
Trying forward, what excites you most about the way forward for additional virgin olive oil within the Center East?
Lately, I had the pleasure of judging and awarding additional virgin olive oils from Al Jawf KSA on the London competitions. Many individuals don’t notice that Al Jawf is house to among the world’s largest trendy olive oil farms. As a decide, I can confidently say the standard was distinctive and worthy of actual satisfaction. These oils competed internationally, gained and proved that Center Jap olive oil can stand among the many finest on this planet. This expertise reinforces my pleasure for the way forward for olive oil throughout the Center East. From defending Levantine varieties via PDO recognition to seeing Tunisian olive oil dominate regional markets, momentum is clearly constructing. Extra broadly, I’m excited concerning the world renaissance of the olive oil sector, stuffed with renewed optimism, innovation and management. As an knowledgeable, model proprietor and passionate pioneer, I hope this marks the start of a brand new period of Center Jap olive oil excellence.
