Extra virgin olive oil is the protagonist of the D'AOVE Kitchen final

Hazelnut porridge, with oloroso picked pork, pear Chutney, crispy Tulipa, and EVOO noodles. Maria de los Angeles Garcia from Madrid's La Malaje restaurant won the first prize at the D'AOVE National Cooking Contest in Alcala la Real. This was a chance to appreciate this "liquid gold" through some recipes and some chefs who were highly praised by the jury as well as those who attended this final.

Daniel Garcia, promoter of EVOO Spain, and also executive chef of the gourmet de la Roja, (RFEF), highlighted that the main purpose of the event was to "communicate extra virgin olive oil in another way." We wanted to share extra virgin olive oil through gastronomy, and this is how the contest was born. The first edition featured top chefs. After the sharing of each chef's dish suggestions, it was clear that the judges were satisfied with the results.

Maria de los Angeles Garcia said that the winner's dish was "a set which identifies me quite a lot because it contains the Iberian dam or porridge from the Valley of the Pedroches, which is also a typical preparation." Olive oil is a product she recognizes that even though she uses it often, "I still have much to learn."

The Covid-19 has allowed for a contest to be developed in a different way than the others. However, Daniel Garcia said that it was worth the effort to see the EVOO used in each of their dishes. It was a positive experience they want to be able repeat. He acknowledged that the jury was very impressed by the value they gave to the product in the recipe and their creativity when it came time to present the dishes.

The jury included Daniel Garcia Peinado (Chef of EVOO) and Carlos Duran (General Secretary). Spanish Selection of Professional Cuisine; Angela Perez Linde Export Manager of Alcala Oliva S.L.; Adoracion Mosas, Professor at University of Jaen of Organization of Olive Companies Master in Olive Grove and Olive Oil and Juan Manuel Marchal. Councilor for Tourism, Culture and Commerce of Alcala La Real City Council

Participants were Ana Belen Moreno Martinez of the Hotel Palacio de Umbeda, Mari Angeles Garcia Roldan of the La Malaje restaurant near Madrid, Miguel Angel Mateos, Javier Blazquez Martinez of the Moratilla restaurant at Jaen, Fernando Desa from Seville's Goya restaurant, and Federico Guajardo, Venta de Posa in Denia.

Angela Perez Linde is the Export Manager at Alcala Oliva. She recognized that "the facilities in our possession were created with one objective: to promote extra-virgin olive oil for activities that fall within the scope of what we want to do here." Marino Aguilera, mayor of Alcala Oliva, stated that both the contest and the consistory were encouraged to repeat the event next year. "It is important to ensure the quality of the product," the mayor said during his speech. He invited the event to continue in the town, which, through its sector and companies, strives to position and add value to the product.