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Wednesday, July 12, 2017

The Event: The Art of Blending Olive Oils Master Class by Giovanni Zucchi.

The Date and Time: Tuesday June 20, 2017   2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
The Event: The Art of Blending Olive Oils Master Class by Giovanni Zucchi.
The Venue: Aria Ristorante, York Street
The Target Audience: food bloggers
The Availability/Catalogue: "Olive Oil Doesn't Grow on Trees" is the name of his book on the art of blending, which is what his family Oleificio Zucchi has done since 1810. The website www.zucchi.com lists a wide variety of blends, including Italian EVOO and EVOO from other EU countries. There is also a range of two organic EVOO and four PDO and PGI. There are also nine different flavoured EVOO and four vinegars.
The Quote/Background: Giovanni Zucchi led a seminar on the kinds and complexities of different olive oil cultivars. We were to blend our own extra virgin olive oil which came from four different regions. New combination of flavours are important, through synthesis, like the blends of coffee beans and wines, and even cheeses.
The Oils: we were not told the regions until afterwards. My own notes follow –
 
Bottle A: slightly bitter and pungent, a bit vegetal (Andalusian Spain)
Bottle B: thick, fruity, soft finish (Spain)
Bottle C: peppery, bright, long length (Tuscany)
Bottle D: thick, soft, slight pepper finish (Crete) – my fave
 
I blended C and D, and topped up with some A. we were allowed to take home our "finished" bottle.
 
The Food: we had a tasting menu which followed – with green apples, lobster taco, breads, several apps for food (shrimp, veggies, cheeses) plus sparkling Fiol Prosecco.
The Downside: it started late.
The Upside: a chance to connect with food bloggers.
The Contact Person: mdeangelo@colangelopr.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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