Judging at JOOP 2026 Competition in Tokyo

On April 13th 2026 I had the privilege to serve as an international judge at the JOOP – Japan Olive Oil Prize, one of the world's leading competitions dedicated to extra virgin olive oil.

Together with fellow experts from across the globe, I had the opportunity to evaluate exceptional extra virgin olive oils, celebrating the remarkable diversity, quality, and craftsmanship that characterize olive oil production worldwide.

International competitions such as JOOP play an important role in recognizing excellence, promoting continuous improvement, and encouraging producers to pursue the highest standards of quality.

My sincere thanks to the organizers and everyone involved for their warm hospitality and outstanding organization. It was a pleasure to share this experience with colleagues united by a common passion for extra virgin olive oil.

At the awards ceremony in Tokyo