FOOS Athens 2026
Athens, Greece • 13 November 2026
Place, origin, quality and consumer trust
2026 Theme | Olive Oil: The Value Beyond the Product
FUTURE OF OLIVE OIL SUMMIT
About the Summit
The Future of Olive Oil Summit (FOOS) is an international convening platform initiated by the International Olive Oil Network (IOON). The Athens edition connects regional experience with perspectives from science, production, gastronomy, industry and institutions.
On 13 November 2026, the conversation explores how origin, oleoturism and cultural heritage create opportunity — and how science, quality and traceability can strengthen consumer trust.
Where Perspectives Meet
FOOS Athens brings producers, researchers, business leaders, chefs and institutions into one conversation. Regional knowledge meets international perspectives as we examine how place creates value and rigorous quality builds trust.
OLEOTURISM CULTURAL HERITAGE LOCAL ECONOMIES CONSUMERS
This year’s theme emphasizes two interconnected pillars:
1
The Value of Place & Origin
2
Building Trust with Consumers
Origin, oleoturism and cultural heritage can create meaningful opportunities for producers, local communities and regional economies.
Science, quality, traceability and health evidence can support informed consumer choices and confidence across the wider food system and the position of olive oil in international markets.
2026 PROGRAMME
Program Highlights
Global Roundtables
A Taste of Place: Where Gastronomy Meets Oleoturism
Turning local food culture into meaningful visitor experiences and regional opportunities.
The Value Paradox: Who Creates Value — and Who Benefits?
Exploring how quality, culture and markets shape what olive oil is worth — and to whom.
Keynote Presentations
What Is Food Really Worth? — Rethinking how we value food, from producers and local communities to global markets
• Dr. Stefanos Fotiou (The Food Diplomacy Network, Greece)
The Changing Landscape of Olive Oil: Perception, Quality and New Origins
• Prof. Annette Bongartz (Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland)
Can we Trust What's in the Bottle?
• Prof. Juan Antonio Parrilla González (University of Jaén, Spain)
From Soil to Health: The Olive Grove as a Model for a Sustainable Future• • • • Prof. Tassos Kyriakides (University of Yale, US)
Case Studies
From Vineyard to Olive Grove: Turning Local Identity into Lasting Value• • • • • Theodoros Tsikrikonis (Greece)
Culture Begins in the Gut: We Are What We Eat | Insights from THE TEΛΟΣ SOCIETY
• Georgia Kotretsos (Greece)
Eating It, Burning It, Sharing It: Olive Oil, Food Systems, and Cultural Heritage in Greece
• Sofia Spirou (Greece)
FOOS SPEAKERS
Speakers
Dr. Stefanos Fotiou
(Greece)
Executive Director, FoodDiplomacy Network | Council of Administration, Agricultural
University of Athens
Nicholas Coleman
(United States)
International Olive Oil Expert & Brand Strategist | Co-founder, Grove and Vine (New York)
Spyros Tsevas
(Greece / Switzerland)
Founder, International Olive Oil Network (IOON) | Quality, Trust & Responsible Innovation
Eleftheria Germanaki
(Greece)
IOC-Recognised Panel Leader & Olive Oil Quality Educator | Director, Sensory Evaluation
Sofia Spirou
(Greece)
Agricultural Journalist | Co-founder, Greek Agrifood Journalists Association
Prof. Juan Antonio Parrilla-González
(Spain)
Oleoturism & Cooperative Innovation Expert | Vice-Dean, University of Jaén | Technical
Director, Picualia Oleoturismo
Prof. Annette Bongartz
(Switzerland)
Sensory Science & Olive Oil Expert | Head of Food Perception Group, ZHAW | Panel
Leader, Swiss Olive Oil Panel
Tassos C. Kyriakides, PhD
(United States)
Assistant Professor, Yale School of Public Health | Epidemiologist & Olive Oil Health
Researcher
Theodoros Tsikrikonis
(Greece)
Olive Oil & Wine Producer | Founder, Tsikrikonis Winery | Rural Tourism Entrepreneur
Emmanouil (Manolis) Karpadakis
(Greece)
Olive Oil Quality, Value Chain & Innovation Expert | Vice President, Cretan Exporters
Association
Alky Ma
(Hong Kong)
Tea, Olive Oil & Water Sommelier | Sensory Experience Curator | Founder, Moonlight Tea
Celina Shen
(Taiwan / France)
Olive Oil & Wine Sommelier | Founder, Cher Ami | Entrepreneur & Cultural Communicator
Georgia Kotretsos
(Greece)
Visual Artist & Researcher | Founder, THE TEΛΟΣ SOCIETY