The Culinary Institute of America

Tanya Holland—celebrity chef, cookbook author, entrepreneur, and founder of the acclaimed Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland—shares how she brings olive oil into the world of modern soul food. While many don’t traditionally associate olive oil with soul food, Tanya embraces it to make her dishes both healthier and more flavorful. From olive oil–based marinades, sauces, and vinaigrettes to sautéing collard greens in olive oil instead of lard or butter, she shows how this ingredient can elevate classic dishes.
In conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Tanya discusses the role of olive oil in the soul food kitchen and opportunities for growth within the foodservice industry. She advocates for more restaurants to use high-quality olive oil—especially in salad dressings—and to move away from industrial pre-made options.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Dr. Michael Cirigliano, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been practicing for over 30 years and is a strong advocate for the concept of food as medicine. In his daily work with patients, he emphasizes practical, sustainable approaches to healthy living.
In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Dr. Cirigliano discusses olive oil as a powerful functional food. He explains how its antioxidant polyphenols and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats can support cholesterol and blood pressure management, reduce inflammation, protect brain function, and may even help lower the risk of certain cancers.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Suzie Kang, Grocery Category Manager at Baldor Specialty Foods, a leading East Coast foodservice distributor, oversees the pricing, assortment, and sourcing of olive oils. She works closely with chefs to understand exactly what they’re looking for—whether it’s a medium-bodied, versatile oil, one from a specific country of origin, or a beautifully packaged bottle perfect for the table.
In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Suzie shares insights into retail trends in olive oil, including the rise of plastic squeeze bottles and the growing practice of including harvest dates on packaging. These trends reflect a deeper consumer awareness of olive oil freshness and quality.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen
 

Lisa McManus, Executive Editor of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews, first dove into the world of olive oil while researching an article in 2006—and has been exploring its flavors and qualities ever since.
In this conversation with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, Lisa discusses how to educate the public about the different varieties and qualities of extra virgin olive oil. They also explore the potential of social media to reach younger audiences and share the importance of understanding that olive oil is a fresh, perishable product that should be appreciated for its flavor and freshness.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Jane Black, a Washington, DC–based food writer known for her coverage of culinary trends and the evolving world of olive oil, joins Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, for a conversation about how consumer understanding of olive oil has changed in recent years.
Jane discusses the growing interest in quality, transparency, and origin, as well as the important role chefs play in telling the story behind the olive oil they choose for their restaurants.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Chef Dominica Rice Cisneros is the owner of Bombera, a celebrated Mexican restaurant in Oakland's Dimond District, known for its Chicana heritage cooking, wood-fired techniques, and focus on community and local ingredients. 
She talks about cooking with lard, butter, and corn oil as a child, and discovering olive oil when she started working in Bay Area restaurants in the 1980s. Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne is the director of Extra Virgin Alliance, and interviews Chef Dominica about how she incorporates California olive oils into her Mexican cuisine.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Join award-winning author, pastry chef, and chocolate authority Alice Medrich as she explores the surprising—and delicious—role of extra virgin olive oil in desserts. From boosting moisture in a Chocolate Marble Pound Cake to intensifying citrus notes in a mandarin olive oil icing, Alice explains how olive oil can transform classic recipes.
She’s joined by Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, for a conversation about when and why you should substitute olive oil for melted butter. Together, they discuss how using high-quality olive oil can elevate flavor, improve texture, and even make your favorite sweets a little healthier.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen

Discover how Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of the legendary Zingerman’s Delicatessen, helped introduce specialty foods—and especially *extra virgin olive oil*—to the Midwest back in the 1980s, long before it became a pantry staple. In this conversation, Ari reflects on how customer tastes have evolved over the decades and how a new appreciation for high-quality olive oil has transformed the market.
He’s joined by Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, director of the Extra Virgin Alliance, who offers insight into what it takes to build consumer understanding, foster appreciation, and create real value for authentic extra virgin olive oil.
Founded in 1982 with business partner Paul Saginaw, Zingerman’s has grown from a single Ann Arbor deli into a vibrant “community of businesses,” including a bakehouse, coffee company, creamery, candy manufactory, and more. This video dives into that history—and the passion behind bringing exceptional food to American tables.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the International Olive Council.
Find recipes, videos and more information at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen