Quality olive oil is a staple in the professional kitchen as consumers embrace the health-giving powers of this Mediterranean ingredient. Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, it is known to reduce inflammation and stress, whilst having beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil and therefore contains more of the natural antioxidants and vitamins which are lost during processing.

Pour over the facts

• On average, it takes 4 to 5 kilos of olives to produce one litre of olive oil
• Spain is the world’s largest producer, making almost half of the world’s olive oil. Other large producers are Italy, Greece, Portugal, Tunisia, Turkey and Morocco
• In 2022, European olive oil consumption was estimated at more than 1.55 million tonnes, which is approximately half of the total world consumption
• In terms of retail sales, the largest volumes sold in Europe are in Italy and Spain, followed by France, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Switzerland and Greece
• In 2022, UK imports of olive oil reached 85 thousand tonnes at a value of €358million

The nation’s favourite

Filippo Berio is widely considered the UK’s most popular brand of olive oil. The brand was founded in 1835 in in Lucca, Tuscany, and is the premier brand of Salov – one of Italy’s most prestigious food companies. For over 150 years, it has provided culinary inspiration to chefs around the world. The UK arrived a little late to the party, only truly embracing the health benefits of olive oil in the 1960s.

The Filippo Berio foodservice range is comprised of exceptional ingredients created to meet and exceed the needs of demanding chefs and diners. The products deliver outstanding results in the kitchen – as well as on the table – offering superb flavour, along with an exceptional mix of quality and flexibility from seasoning to baking, frying and garnishing.

‘The Italian Job’

The Filippo Berio range offers a wide range of oil and vinegar products for foodservice professionals to tap into. From this month, the Lewes-based company will offer 18 oil and vinegar products in a range of sizes. These include:

• Extra virgin olive oil (1l and 5l)
• Classic olive oil (1l and 5l)
• Mild and light olive oil (1l and 5l)
• Chilli flavoured olive oil (250ml and 1l)
• Garlic flavoured olive oil (250ml and 1l)
• Basil flavoured olive oil (250ml)
• Truffle flavoured olive oil (250ml)
• Grand cru balsamic vinegar (250ml)
• Balsamic vinegar (250ml and 500ml)
• Red wine vinegar (500ml)
• White wine vinegar (500ml)
• Sunflower oil (5l)

Awesome applications

Samantha Rain, Head of Innovation and Training at leading ingredients supplier Henley Bridge, has developed a number of recipes using products from the Berio range aimed specifically at foodservice for Christmas 2024 – and, perhaps surprisingly, they’re not all savoury dishes.

She said: “I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with the various oils and am happy to confirm they work beautifully in sweet dishes, including a deliciously light lemon and olive oil dessert, which I’ve called An Olive Branch. It features an olive oil and lemon sponge, olive oil and vanilla ganache, lemon curd, and cocoa tuille, and all of the components can be made in advance for ease of service.”

Other recipes include venison pie, which offers a true celebration of luxurious winter flavours; miso-marinated crispy salmon bites; Indian roasted cauliflower served alongside juicy mango chutney and flavourful salt and pepper tofu; and olive oil panna cotta.

Henley Bridge has produced a booklet with further information on the Filippo Berio range and additional recipes, which is available to download here.