Jean-Bernard Chomarat from France, and Gerardo Jimenez Luque
from Spain will be the leading presenters at the 2006 Savantes Extra Virgin
Olive Oil programme. Both presenters work for Medinternational SA.
Based in Cordoba, Spain, with representative offices in the
United Kingdom and Belgium, Medinternational SA markets an estate bottled extra
virgin olive, as well as other natural food products. A recent initiative aimed
at integrating up the supply-chain has been the opening of tapas bars in Oslo,
Norway.
Jean-Bernard Chomarat has over 17 years of experience in
export trade between European, Asian and North American countries. Working as an
export manager for various major European companies, he developed export
business with numerous companies world wide and in particular, with supermarket
chains. In 1999 he co-founded and developed Med Group where he built
distribution channels in Europe and Asia for Med Group’s natural food products
and more specifically its extra virgin olive oil business.
Gerardo Jiménez Luque has 12 years experience in the
field of olive oil covering all aspects from growing, producing to tasting. He
is a respected state appointed Master Taster in olive oil and has given training
courses in many different countries. He leads tasting panels and is an auditor
for companies wanting to improve and optimise their production and quality of
extra virgin olive oil.
To be held in Melbourne from 24-26 July, Savantes 2006 is
designed to assist olive enterprises in evaluating their new season olive oils
and developing their product that is different, saleable and profitable.
‘The expertise
Jean-Bernard and Gerardo will bring is just what the Southern Hemisphere olive
industries need at the current stage of development’, according to Simon
Field, organiser of Savantes. ‘Successful brands of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
have a unique, consistent taste and sell into the right markets at the right
price point. With these experienced presenters, Savantes participants will learn
to achieve both. Add their experience in integrating into the foodservice sector
and we have the complete package.’
Since the start of the programme in 2001, over 150
participants have completed the annual Savantes programme, travelling from
England, USA, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and all over Australia. The
Savantes network now includes consumers, executive chefs, olive oil retailers,
food retailers, distributors, importers, consultants, government, processors and
large and small scale producers.
The programme concentrates on the commercial success of olive
oil enterprises and the value of expert knowledge in providing a marketing
advantage. Each year award winning olive oils from around the world are
collected for participants to taste and enhance their sensory assessment
capability and knowledge.
In addition, the commercial focus of the Savantes programme
provides:
- Current local and international market data and price points.
- Realistic commercial evaluation of participant’s oils using local and
international benchmarks.
- Ideas on the culinary uses of olive oils.
- Assistance in the blending of new season oils to a differentiated,
marketable and profitable product.
- Opportunities for trading in olive oils required to enhance a blend or
achieve critical mass.
- A marketing network of accomplished tasters, chefs, distributors and food
media.
- Credibility and recognition of knowledge and taste expertise through the
‘Blue Glass Class’.
- Sales by awarding ‘Savantes Plates for Excellence’ and promoting the
oils on the internet.
- The ‘Savantes Selection’ of the six highest scoring oils and promotion
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