International Olive Oil Competition

Information About the Upcoming International Olive Oil Competition

Published October 17th 2021

(Picture taken at the 2007 International Olive Oil Competition, Valencia, Spain, by Matthew Meier)

About the IOOC

The International Olive Oil Competition (IOOC) has been around since 1975, and has grown massively since then. It was founded in 1975 by Helvetica Aldondus in Kalamata, Greece. It was formed to settle a debate between Greek olive farmers and Italian olive farmers as to which was better, and many people from and around these olive farms came to watch, and eventually people who were near the convention centers came to watch, including foreigners who went home to tell others about it. Eventually, olive farmers from all over the world came to attend and compete, and the competition grew. Today, many olive producing countries such as the United States, Greece, Italy, Spain, and many others. People from all over the world also come to watch the event.

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Who Will Be at the Competition?

The Competition will be open to everyone that wishes to come, with no admission fee for guests. Professional tasters from all over the globe will be at the competition, as well as olive farmers, olive oil producers, commentators, judges, and many others. The event creator, Helvetica Aldondus, will be there as well. There will be security checks and the entrance, food and drinks will be servered throughout the day, with concession stands and food trucks on site.

When and Where?

The IOOC has long since been held in Europe, specifically Italy and Greece, as most of the people that control the event live near that area, however, this year will be different. The competition will be held in San Diego, California at the San Diego Convention Center on October 21st through the 26th. To handle the size of this competition, each country/region has been given its own day.

An itenerary will be provided below.

A light breakfast will be avaliable between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM for those who have not eaten. Food trucks will arrive at 11:00, and will be there until the event's end. Food trucks will not be avaliable during the Judging on October 26th, however concession stands will be open. For those with dietary concerns, outside food will be allowed, all liquids must be kept in clear containers.

The San Diego Convention Center Shown on a Map

If this is your first time in San Diego, then don't be afraid to explore the city and see what it has to offer. If you are unsure as to what to do, use this official website.

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Created by the International Olive Oil Competition Council, 1975-2021. All Rights Reserved