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Elly's Supreme Taste with awards from the Tasting Competition “Most Skillful Wine and Food Pairing” in Plovdiv

Elly's Supreme Taste with awards from the Tasting Competition “Most Skillful Wine and Food Pairing” in Plovdiv

Spring is a time for smiles, excitement and the awakening of the senses – for captivating flavors and aromas that nature and master producers offer us. What could be better than a stroll through the old town of Plovdiv and small gourmet stops at Ikonna Sbirka, Alafrangite, Georgiev’s House and Konyushnite to taste fine Bulgarian wines and delicacies!

We immersed ourselves in this authentic Bulgarian atmosphere to present to the guests of the “Wine and Gourmet” Fashion Show the elegant and rich extra virgin olive oils from Andalusia by Nobleza del Surfrom the Arbequina and Picual varieties, as well as the bright and memorable aromas of our range of olive oils - infusions by Ariston from the Peloponnese. And the guests were definitely impressed and excited by the richness of tastes and aromas, and left with a bottle or two of the high-quality natural elixirs. And we were satisfied that we can offer products of the highest quality, which complement and refine food in a special, delicious way. And proud that this year, too, we managed to build on the event in partnership with the organizers from the Tourism Council and the University of Food Technologies - Plovdiv.

We took part in the Tasting Competition “Most Skilful Wine and Food Pairing” to demonstrate the potential of different olive oil profiles combined with a variety of products and good Bulgarian wines. The competition took place at the prestigious University of Food Technologies Plovdiv with a five-member jury of experts in the field of wine and food:

  • Yordan Rusev – Sommelier and representative of the Association of Winemakers
  • Nikolay Borukov – Chef and representative of the Association of Bulgarian Professional Chefs
  • Assoc. Prof. Hristo Spasov - Deputy Rector at the University of Food Technologies, responsible for wines
  • Assoc. Prof. Kremena Nikovska - Former lecturer at the University of Food Technologies
  • Ekaterina Terzieva - Journalist and founder of the movement Slow Tours in Bulgaria

We chose three wines from producers with whom we shared the space at the Icon Gathering - Orbelia winery, Melvino winery and the raspberry wine Kubera. It was from them that the composition of a three-course menu by Chef Viktor Zhechev, founder and vice-chairman of the culinary association Chefs Club Sofia, graduate and chef-instructor at the HRC Culinary Academy in Sofia, began. Anna Petkova, a certified olive oil sommelier and creator of the educational platform My Pure Olive supported us in selecting the olive oils to complement the pairings and give them their finishing touch. This is precisely the role of good olive oils - to bring richness and completeness to dishes, as well as layers and depth. So that we, the lovers of good taste, can treat ourselves to pleasure and new experiences with food.

 

During the tasting, Anna Petkova carried the honorary jury into the colorful world of olive oils, introducing it to the richness of our products, while Chef Zhechev presented the culinary techniques and the origin of all the products used in the dishes before them.

 

And here are the pairings that took part in the competition:

 

We are happy that we left Plovdiv with many impressions, new friends, pleasant moments with old and new olive oil enthusiasts, and two awards from the Tasting Competition.

On behalf of our whole team, we extend special thanks to the organizing committee of the “Wine and Gourmet” Fashion Show 2021 for the high appraisal and the wonderful treatment!