Small classes on olive oil: taste and sensory evaluation

A number of people have asked me about the possibility of my holding small one-day classes on the basic theory and practice of tasting olive oil. As I result I have held a number of such events in the last few years and plan to continue to do so on demand. Numbers are kept to a minimum of six or eight and classes are held either in London or Brighton.

The next course will probably be held in April 2012, very soon after Easter.

If you are interested in attending this course please email me at jridgway@oliveoil.org.uk

Savantes Europe:

A three day Savantes course is planned for March 2012 to take place in Seville. Sadly I will not be taking part this year as I am cutting back some of my many olive oil activities. For more information on the course see www.savantes.com

New Product News:

This is a section which I have decided to add to my website for everyone who is interested in good artisan-produced food. On my travels I sometimes come across foods which are so good I want to tell everyone about them and this is one way of doing so.

You will not find olive oils listed here as I do not endorse particular oils. Nor do I endorse the products that appear here but they are products which I have enjoyed and which I think are worth seeking out. I hope that you will enjoy them too.

Watch this space for more finds in the coming months.

Truffles

An exciting new family owned company based in The Marche in Central Italy is offering fresh black and white truffles plus a range of truffle products using their own olive oil and other carefully sourced ingredients.

The Truffle Hunter offers a "search to order facility" for the very freshest truffles and you can even go out to the Marche to hunt your own truffles on a truffle hunting weekend.

For more information see www.TruffleHunter.co.uk

New Olive Packs

Look out for new packs of delicious black table olives from Gaea foods. The olives are sweet and succulent and just enough for a snack or a drinks canape. Gaea are also offering sun-dried olives which are more of an acquired taste.

Photograph Acknowledgements:

• Breslich and Foss Ltd • Dorling Kindersley Books
• Macmillan Books
• Piatkus Books
• ICEP, Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office