Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne

Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, olive oil consultant, writer and educator, is CEO of the Extra Virgin Alliance (EVA), an international trade association of olive oil producers and experts working to foster appreciation, restore consumer trust and create value in the market for authentic, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. She is the author of “Olive Oil: A Field Guide” from AOCS Press. She has taught olive oil tasting classes in cooperation with IRTA, The Olive Oil Sommeliers of Japan, The Culinary Institute of America, The Los Angeles County Fair, UC Davis, and many others. She serves as a judge and advisor for various California and international olive oil competitions and chairs the Napa Valley Olive Oil Competition. Alexandra has presented papers at many olive oil conferences, shows and symposia in the US and abroad, focusing on olive oil sensory education, communication, marketing and quality. She co-chairs a workgroup and works on the organizing committee for the Yale Olive Institute initiative. Beginning with research reports at the University of California Cooperative Extension, she has written on many aspects of olive oil for both popular and scholarly publications, contributing chapters to the international book “Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation” from Wiley and the UC Organic Olive Production Manual. Her consulting work focuses on all aspects of improving olive oil quality, from helping clients select the best olive cultivars for their needs to creating outstanding blends and telling their story in the marketplace