CALLING ALL CONNOISSEURS: ENTER TO WIN A CUSTOMIZED OLIVE OIL BLEND BY MASTRI OLEARI AND A FABULOUS TRIP TO ITALY’S SPOLETO FESTIVAL

Norwalk, CT - October 17, 2002

To celebrate its arrival into the North American market, and the June 2003 opening of its Culinary Institute in Spoleto, the renown olive oil, MONINI, produced in Umbria, Italy, is kicking off the ‘One of the Family’ contest." The Grand Prize for the contest includes a trip to Spoleto, Italy, in addition to a customized olive oil, blended by Zefferino Monini, fourth generation of the Monini family and one of the few "Mastri Oleari" in the world and namesake of the founder.

The "One of the Family" contest begins on October 15, 2002 and will end on February 28, 2003.
The Grand Prize for the winner and a companion consists of:

Additionally, five winners will receive a one-year supply of Monini olive oil comprised of all five extra virgin varieties.

To enter, simply log onto the Monini website at www.monini.com/usa and take the Personal Taste Profile.

"Logging on to the website and entering the contest is a great way for consumers to become more familiar with all of the premium Monini olive oils available here in the U.S." says Marco Petrini, President Monini USA. "Americans have become extremely sophisticated about olive oils and how to use them, and by taking the Personal Taste Profile, we will be able to recommend one of our five selections to suit their own taste preferences," he said.

In Italy, Monini is not only the number one brand of extra virgin olive oil; Monini is a family, a tradition and a fixture of the best in Italian cuisine. The history of Monini goes back nearly 100 years. At a time when most Italian cooks used only pure olive oil, Zefferino Monini Sr. focused exclusively on extra virgin oil. The Umbrian climate and hills helped create an extra virgin oil whose flavor was both intense and balanced. Zefferino’s business acumen and deep knowledge of olives paid off. Within a few years, Monini olive oils were known far outside of their home in Spoleto. In the 1950s, Zefferino’s sons joined the business. Today, his grandchildren now lead the company with the same commitment to quality begun by their grandfather.

Unlike the majority of Italian olive oils sold in North America, Monini uses only Italian grown olives. Olive oil can be labeled as originating in the country in which the oil was bottled, even if the oil is from another country, but Monini oils capture the fresh essence of 100% premium Italian-grown olives. In the U.S., Monini is available in five unique styles of extra virgin oil:

Noted restaurant owner, chef and cookbook author Mark Strausman has been a fan of Monini olive oils for years. "In my cooking, I stress on simple rustic dishes that typify the regional cuisine of Italy. I rely on Monini oils from start to finish – it’s my personal choice for the table with artisan Italian breads and an integral ingredient in some of the dishes I serve at Campagna."

Not only are chefs fans of Monini, but people who travel the world like noted opera great Luciano Pavarotti, stock Monini in their own kitchens.
The Monini "One of the Family" contest will be promoted throughout the United States with print ads in Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light magazines. Monini bottles sold in retail stores will carry a hangtag with contest details.

The 46th annual Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi runs from June 27 through July 14, 2003. The festival features some of the best music, dance and theatrical performances from all over the world.




for more information, contact:
Laura Baddish, The Baddish Group
(212) 221-7611 ext. 304 or baddish@aol.com