Saturday, February 1st, 2025
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Activity:
Opening Ceremony
Venue:
Cinema Centrale
Speaker:
Mario Pardini, Mayor of Lucca
Representatives from Shaner and Marriott International
Representative from Penn State University
Joseph Profaci
Moderator and artistic Director:
Maestrod’olio Fausto Borella, extra virgin olive oil expert
Highlights:
Official welcome to attendees
Overview of olive oil production and how it impacts our lives
Introduction to the conference’s themes and objectives
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Activity:
Presentation “Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Pillar of Health for All Ages”
Venue:
Real Collegio
Speaker:
Dr. Kristina S. Petersen, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University and expert in dietary interventions for cardiometabolic health
Highlights:
Scientific insights into the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, its role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk and the importance for children’s and teenagers’ growth and development
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Activity:
Coffee Break
Venue:
Real Collegio
Highlights:
Extra virgin olive oil chocolate pralines by Domenico D’Affronto, one of the best Italian pastry chefs, Master chocolatier and pastry chef of Conca d’Oro in Livorno
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Activity:
Panel Discussion “Integrating Olive Oil into Modern Diets”
Venue:
Real Collegio
Speaker:
Dr. Sara Farnetti, one of the most important specialists in Internal Medicine, PhD in physiopathology of nutrition and metabolism, expert in functional nutrition
Dr. Kristina S. Petersen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University and expert in dietary interventions for cardiometabolic health
Donna Quadri-Felitti, PhD, Director and Associate Professor, Penn State University School of Hospitality Management
Moderator:
Maestrod’olio Fausto Borella, extra virgin olive oil expert
Highlights:
Strategies for incorporating olive oil into daily meals
Addressing misconceptions about dietary fats
Discussion on global dietary trends
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Activity:
Show-cooking and children’s laboratory
Venue:
Real Collegio
Highlight:
Show-cooking by Fabrizio Girasoli, Michelin-starred chef at Restaurant Butterfly in Lucca
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Activity:
Olive Oil Market Exhibition
Venue:
Real Collegio
Highlights:
Market-showcasing of artisanal extra virgin olive oil producers from Lucca, Tuscany and other Italian regions
Sample and purchase a variety of extra virgin olive oils
Live demonstrations and interactions with producers
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Activity:
Pastry Showdown – “The Art of Baking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
Venue:
Real Collegio
Participants:
Sandra Bianchi, Italian pastry chef of Pasticceria Sandra in Lucca
Damiano Carrara, Italian TV star and pastry chef of Atelier Damiano Carrara in Lucca
Highlights:
Friendly competition showcasing olive oil in pastry making
Live audience participation and voting
Tasting of both chefs’ creations
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Activity:
Hands-on session “Tasting Like a Pro: Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation”
Venue:
Real Collegio
Instructor:
Maestrod’olio Fausto Borella, extra virgin olive oil expert
Masaki Kuroda, Japanese Chef from Restaurant NIDA in Lucca
Sabrina Falconi, Sake sommelier at Restaurant NIDA in Lucca
Highlights:
Learn to assess olive oil quality, identify flavor notes and understand tasting techniques
xtra virgin olive oil tasting led by Fausto Borella and food pairing with fish tartare prepared by Chef Kuroda
During the opening of the exhibition market, bartender Mauro Picchi, a great lover of mixing who has made his work his business, will always be present. He is constantly on the move between his own bars, appearances, consultations and further training. A point of reference for young bartenders in the Lucchesia region for years, he never misses an opportunity to draw consumers’ attention to quality drinks and to combine his cocktails with extra virgin olive oil.
Sunday, February 2nd 20252025
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Activity:
Continuation of the Olive Oil Market Exhibition
Venue:
Real Collegio
Details:
Final opportunity to interact with producers and purchase products
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Activity:
Show-cooking: “Extra virgin olive oil: the common thread among generations of great Tuscan chefs”
Venue:
Real Collegio
Participants:
Chef Samuele Cosentino, Ristorante gli Orti di Via Elisa, Lucca
Chef Giuliano Pacini, Ristorante La buca di Sant’Antonio, Lucca
Chef Romano Franceschini, da Romano Restaurant, Viareggio
Chef Daniele e Chef Andrea Zazzeri, in memory of their father Luciano, La Pineta Restaurant, Bibbona, Livorno
Highlights:
The chefs will talk about the importance of extra virgin oil in their kitchens and how its use has evolved over the years. They will bring small preparations with extra virgin olive oil to give to attending guests.
7.00 PM
Activity:
Closing Ceremony