Discover California Olive Oil Recipe Contest Seeks Innovative "EXTRA VIRGIN" California Cooks!

By: We Olive | 2 Shares 123 Reads

Grand Prize Includes Central Coast EVOO Culinary Tour and More.

June 15, 2011 // Franchising.com // San Diego, CA - Frank and Ruth Mercurio, owners of California's premier retailer of artisan olive oil, We Olive, announced today the launch of their 1st annual "Discover California Olive Oil" recipe contest via Facebook to uncover the very BEST California EVOO recipes in the state. With 10 high-profile locations, We Olive features a broad range of over twenty California-sourced olive oils that can be sampled on-site – offering patrons a taste of the ultimate Olive Oil Experience and an unparalleled level of customer service and education. Because the popular retailer only carries the finest array of artisan products, We Olive has developed a devoted following of foodies and passionate home cooks.

The recipe contest is now live on weolive.com and the we olive facebook fan page. It encourages entrants to experiment and submit original recipes using their (California-only) oil-of-choice. All contestants submitting an approved original recipe will receive a 20% coupon off We Olive Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Aged Balsamic Vinegars from the shops' fustinos. These coupons may be used at any We Olive store or at shopweolive.com on or before October 31, 2011.

The We Olive customer has come to realize - often through tastings and educational seminars at their local We Olive storefronts - that high-quality California olive oil is an essential ingredient needed to elevate the taste and quality of their favorite recipes and can also serve to inspire innovative new ideas in the kitchen.

The top prize packages include Olive-Centric Culinary getaways, luxury experiences, educational opportunities as well as cash and shopping spree experiences. All entrants will secure a 20% off shopping spree at their local shop or online – an added incentive that has We Olive fans busily testing their favorite recipes to submit online.

"We are passionate about raising the level of awareness about the health benefits and superior quality of California's high quality, artisan olive oils," states owner, Frank Mercurio. "We think this type of straightforward contest will encourage our friends and Facebook community of talented home cooks to get creative and experiment with the flavors offered by the wide variety of options in the category."

The Grand Prize is music to any olive oil aficionado's ears: An ultimate Central Coast Extra Virgin Olive Oil culinary tour which includes:

A two-night stay for two (room and tax) at Alta Cresta Olive Orchard Cottage B&B
Admission to the 2011 Paso Robles Olive Festival and VIP Lounge, of which We Olive is the title sponsor
Olive Oil Sensory Class By The UC Davis Olive Center
Opportunity to Attend the Olive Festival Grower Party in downtown Paso Robles
An Expert-Guided Olive Orchard Tour
Paso Robles Wine Tasting Tour
$400 Travel Voucher to Paso Robles
A $100 Olive Oil Shopping Spree at We Olive Paso Robles or www.shopweolive.com.

The 2nd prize packages will be granted to one finalist from each of the 10 We Olive retail stores (based on their vicinity). These 10 "2nd Place" winners will all receive:

A $100 gift certificate from a We Olive store or shopweolive.com
Admission to the 2011 Paso Robles Olive Festival and VIP Lounge
Olive Oil Sensory Class By UC Davis Olive Center
Olive Festival Growers' party in downtown Paso Robles
Guided Olive Orchard Tour

How to Enter:

In order to enter, contestants must first "like" We Olive on Facebook to access the contest page. Each contestant may submit one original recipe using only California Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The submitted recipe can be an appetizer, main course, side dish, salad, baked good, candy or dessert. We Olive's culinary judging panel recommends that each entrant specify the exact extra virgin olive oil name, label or flavor category (delicate, medium or robust). Only persons who are at least 21 years of age can enter.

The contest is now live on Facebook and ends on July 24th, 2011 at 12pm (PDT).

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