Olive Oil Culinary Prize Awarded

Pictured on the left is the shrimp and olive oil-based culinary delight known as 'Perfume'. Concocted by Italian chef, Ilario Vincinguerra, it impressed a panel of professional chefs enough to win him the fifth annual 'Jaén - Paraíso Interior' cooking with olive oil competition, beating out eleven finalists from various European countries for the 18,000€ first prize.

The contest, held not in Andalucía but in the Basque city (and European culinary capital) of San Sebastián, requires the contestants to prepare a dish in which olive oil is the fundamental ingredient. The entrants are allowed to choose between a variety of extra virgin oils, all produced in the province of Jaén. Among the pre-selected oils this year were Fuenroble, dealt with in detail in the interview we did with its creator, José Vico, this past summer, and Aceite Jienense de Cazorla, produced by an association of presses which includes the co-operative to which this writer delivers his olives.

Photos of past winners of this competition can be seen at the organization's website.