Judges

Lori Jean Levy is the Founder of Portfolio, a curated platform dedicated to discovering, importing, and elevating exceptional extra virgin olive oils from small, quality-driven producers worldwide. An olive oil sommelier and licensed U.S. Customs Broker with a background in customs law, Lori brings full-spectrum expertise from source to shelf, spanning global sourcing and trade to sensory evaluation and consumer education. Her work brings together the grove, the maker, and the table, helping to make high-quality olive oil more transparent, accessible, and understood. Lori serves as Chair of the US International Olive Oil Competition, where she previously participated as a judge. She is a recognized industry expert, frequently quoted on olive oil and specialty grocery. A thought leader in the category, she contributes meaningfully on the international stage, including moderating a panel of leading voices in the field at the World Olive Oil Exhibition in Madrid on “Women and Olive Oil: Leadership and Challenges in the Value Chain.” She serves on the Board of Slow Food Atlanta, supports the growth of Women in Olive Oil (WIOO), and is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International in both New York and Atlanta. 

Emily Lycopolus is a professional olive oil taster, olive oil sommelier, and creator of the Olive Oil Critic. With more than 15 years of experience in the olive industry, she is frequently sought after to support olive producers, gourmet and grocery retailers, distributors, and to judge in International Olive Oil competitions. Emily is an educator at George Brown College culinary school and the author of 8 cookbooks, winner of Gourmand, and Taste Canada awards. She has had her books featured at Nobel House in Sweden. Her degree is in Life Science from Queen's University, and she has an MA in Cultural Anthropology. From falling in love with olive oil at her husband's family grove in Italy, her love of science and discovery has blended with her deep love of food and flavor, her kitchen is her lab for discovery and learning. Calling Victoria, BC home, Emily hosts private workshops, cooking classes, and guided tastings, educating retail and culinary professionals alike, all about olive oil. 

Annelise Gerome is the owner of The Quail and Olive, located in Carmel Valley Village, California, where she is dedicated to sourcing and offering the highest quality California extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The store was founded in 2012 by her father, Dr. Stephen Brabeck, a respected cardiologist on the Monterey Peninsula, whose passion for the connection between food and health inspired the business. Both Annelise and her father completed the Culinary Medicine program through Tulane University School of Medicine, an experience that further shaped their vision of promoting wellness through high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Annelise has continued to deepen her expertise through sensory training with the California Olive Oil Council and coursework at UC Davis focused on olive oil sensory analysis. In her daily work, Annelise conducts guided tastings, helping customers understand the nuances of extra virgin olive oil while also applying her trained palate to carefully select the oils featured in her store. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and previously worked in radiology, bringing a strong scientific foundation to her approach. With a passion rooted in both food and medicine, Annelise is proud to carry forward her father’s legacy through The Quail and Olive, sharing the benefits and beauty of exceptional California olive oils with her community. 

Nigel grew up in Yarmouth, Maine in a food-loving family that encouraged exploring new foods from a young age. Meals were cooked at home and olive oil was used on everything! He was focused on academics, sports, music, and art growing up, and after high school received a B.A. from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. He studied abroad in Cork, Ireland for one semester, where he had Italian roommates, and his eyes were opened to the vibrancy of other cultures. After hearing about the interesting work Rogers Collection was doing helping traditional producers overseas, Nigel met Carrie Davenport for coffee to learn more about the exciting world of food imports. Months later, he joined the team. Nigel’s daily responsibilities focus on maintaining and building quality customer relationships and helping clients source the highest quality ingredients from the beautiful producers that Rogers Collection represents from 10 different countries. When not immersed in the specialty food world, Nigel can be found spending time with his beautiful wife and son, enjoying family nature hikes, sea kayaking, and snowboarding. 

Joanne Lacina is the Founder of Olive Oil Lovers, a U.S.-based platform dedicated to sourcing, curating, and educating consumers about high-quality extra virgin olive oils. With over 20 years of industry experience, she works closely with producers, importers, and retailers to champion authenticity, freshness, and transparency while helping exceptional oils succeed in the U.S. market. She completed formal tasting training with the Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio di Oliva in Liguria, Italy, and was named the first female and third Member of the Savantes Register by the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes. As both a buyer and educator and a returning judge for the USI Olive Oil Competition, Joanne brings a market-driven and sensory-focused perspective to evaluating oils. 

Maria Reyes is a veteran executive leader in the specialty and natural foods industry with extensive experience in brand growth, strategic sales, and market expansion. She is ONAOO U.S. Certified Level 1 Olive Oil Taster and is recognized for her expertise and leadership within the olive oil sector. She has been a keynote speaker at the World Olive Oil exhibition and a presenter at the NYOOC as well as other industry events. A long successful career at KeHE Distributors, guiding brands in a variety of categories with a focused on prominent Extra Virgin Olive Oil brands to expand their presence through high-impact growth strategies in the U.S. market. As Vice President of Casas de Hualdo, North America, she spearheaded strategic development distribution and sales for over three years expanding the brand across retail and e-commerce channels. Maria currently serves as Executive Brand Manager at Bymar, Inc., a family-owned brand management company. 

Lucas Britton is the Head Buyer for Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market in Los Angeles, a highly curated specialty grocer and gourmet destination for discerning food enthusiasts. He remains dedicated to providing customers with the best current harvest extra virgin olive oils available, from a wide range of international origins and across the entire spectrum of flavor profiles.

Paul Zang is the General Manager of Cook’s Warehouse, a specialty kitchenware retailer in Atlanta known for its curated selection of culinary tools and premium ingredients. With a background in specialty food retail and culinary education, he regularly evaluates olive oils and other pantry staples for both quality and value to serve a diverse community of home cooks and culinary professionals. Paul is also active in Atlanta’s local food community and currently serves as Communications Chair for the Slow Food Atlanta chapter. His work focuses on connecting consumers with thoughtfully sourced products and supporting a more transparent, sustainable food system. 

Luanne Savino O'Loughlin spent nearly two decades managing Olio2go, a respected online and brick-and-mortar retailer of Italian specialty foods — with a particular focus on premium extra virgin olive oil — based in Fairfax, VA, near Washington, DC. Her passion lies in curating an exclusively Italian product selection: premium extra virgin olive oils, tradizionale balsamic vinegars, authentic bronze-die-cut pasta, and hard-to-find treasures like mostarda. Luanne is recognized as the 2022 Flos Olei International Importer of the Year and was honored by Il Magnifico as an EQOO Ambassador in 2023 for her advocacy and deep knowledge of Italian extra virgin olive oils. Her expertise in identifying exceptional Italian products is well regarded across the industry, and she has represented the United States in delegations meeting with Italian leaders on olive oil industry matters. She has brought that expertise to broader audiences through educational programs, including discussions with the Smithsonian Associates and virtual tastings featured on the Foodie and the Beast podcast. Luanne's love of Italian traditional foods took root in cucina povera — and in a grandmother who could stretch two pork chops to feed whoever showed up at the table. That spirit lives on today, as she and her cousins trade recipes and photos on Instagram and Facebook, each meal raising the bar a little higher.