CULINARY DESTINATION
So you thought you know everything you need to know about Olives. Before you go out and buy that next bottle of Virgin or Extra Virgin oil, or dropping another olive in that martini, I suggest you visit the Olive and Olives store in Riverside. The flagship store in Toronto opened last year, it has garnered a host of rave reviews and is a must visit location for those who use Olive Oil – and that’s about the whole population.
Olive & Olives, the first store in the country devoted to extra virgin olive oils, opened its Toronto flagship store at 779 Queen St E. in trendy Riverside/Leslieville in late May 2011. This well stocked and magically transformed space is something to experience. A tasting kitchen at one end and a large tree inside make it one welcoming destination for those with discerning tastes for the best olive oils and olive-base products.
The Olive & Olives brand offers a wide range of Mediterranean olive oils. Montrealers have been discovering the authentic and various aromas of excellent extra virgin olive oils since 2003. Now, Torontonians can share in this great culinary experience. The company devotes itself to offering the best olive oils in the world to bring their customers high-quality products.
The Toronto store, designed by Montreal architect Fadi Coussa is over 1000 sq. ft. The kitchen hosts olive oil tasting workshops, special event tastings and cooking classes.
Joey Cee is presented with a cheque for $1000 from the staff at Olive and Olives for winning the Media Challenge. The money was donated to Gilda’s Club Toronto. Left to right: Joey Cee with co-founder Claudia Pharand, store owner Mia Sturup and co-founder Daniele Beauchamp.
My first visit, thanks to an invitation from my friend Kathryn Kates, was an eye-opener as much as it was a tasting experience. Being Mediterranean myself, I thought I knew olive oil. After all I was brought up on it and use it practically everyday. That notion changed after spending an hour at Olive and Olives. I learned so much that I was able to win the $1000 and beautiful gift basket the owners offered at the impromptu media challenge the owners graciously hosted. I walked away with a basket full of oil (which I already used up) and Gilda’s Club Toronto was a thousand bucks richer. We both thank you for the opportunity. For a short moment I felt oil rich.
Now, do you know the types of oils, the various textures they come in, the various tastes from a multiple of regions? What’s the difference between what you buy in a grocery store and what you find at this store. Do you know anything about Spanish olive oil, the land it comes from and its many virtues? Very few probably do including myself. Do you know where olive oils such as Alorena, Arbequina, Arbreblanque, Picudo, Picual, Manzanilla, Cacerena, Hojiblanca, Lechin, Gordal, Frantoio, Empeltre, Conrnicabra actually come from?
Each of the oils that you find at Olive & Olives has come from a certified domain or cooperative, lovingly produced by artisans with extensive knowledge and loyalty to their craft. Their goal is to take that shared knowledge and to pass it on to you so that you can make an informed and satisfying choice.
Claudia M. Pharand, Co-Owner
Started by partners Daniele Beauchamp and Claudia Pharand, this go to destination for everything olives and olive oils in Toronto’s east end at 779 Queen Street East, provides an Olive Oil Workshop with Claudia herself. Take a break from your wine, food, beer or chocolate tasting desires and make some time for olive oil. Yes – Olive Oil! In just a few short hours you will be amazed at what you will find out through the theory and production of olive oil, the tasting of different varietie of olive oil, cooking with extra virgin olive oil, tips and recipes, and a Tapas tasting menu
Olive & Olives select their olive oils according to strict criteria:
O&O deals directly with artisanal producers and cooperatives that qualify for the appellation: “Appellation d’origine contrôlée,” which signifies they meet the highest local standards. The relationships they’ve developed with these producers ensure access to an exclusive range of superior quality products that meet their exacting standards.
All their oils are extra virgin, and were produced and bottled by the producer. This level of traceability ensures that we avoid the inferior grades of oil typically left for large commercial brands that are bottled in bulk.
All of the extra virgin oils available at Olive and Olives were produced according to strict cold extraction methods.
Every one of O&O’s bottles features a “best before” date as directed by the International Olive Council (IOC).
All producers must supply O&O with a valid copy of their IOC “extra virgin” certification for all of their products.
By dealing directly with producers, O&O avoid the adulterated and mixed oils that make up an astounding 30% of all the olive oil sold in Canada.
At Olive & Olives, they personally taste test all oils before offering them to their clientele.
Each of the oils that you find at Olive & Olives has come from a certified domain or cooperative, lovingly produced by artisans with extensive knowledge and loyalty to their craft. Their goal is to take that shared knowledge and to pass it on to you so that you can make an informed and satisfying choice.
To ensure that O&O always offer fresh, high quality products, they maintain strict control over the quantities that they purchase, only purchasing the quantities they need as required. They don’t stock oils on shelves for a day longer than necessary. That’s why, from time to time, your favourite oil might be temporarily out of stock. But take heart, they make regular orders from producers who stock their oils in the original mills.
Olive & Olives’ philosophy is based on respect of the artisans of the olive culture. Olive & Olives’ is considered one of Canada’s leading ambassadors in top-quality extra virgin olive oils.
Olive & Olives has five boutiques in Montreal where the stores originate from. Olive & Olives kiosks are also located in select Costco locations.
Olive & Olives’ online information including workshops and cooking classes is available at: www.oliveolives.com
Olive & Olives, 779 Queen Street East, 416-551-8181
Reviewed by Joey Cee, Managing Editor
