Mission and Vision

Our name says it all, an Olive Ovation. At the core of everything we do is the celebration of the olive. Why? Not because martinis are hot or because designer olive oils are trendy, but because olives and olive oil have sustained us for 5000 years.

We integrate this rich world history into a premiere shopping destination by providing an interactive, relaxed and informative atmosphere for those who desire delicious, healthy food and artisan products produced using traditional techniques. Our focus is quality and customer service.

Founder

Marianne Prey, M.D., owner and manager of Extra Virgin, An Olive Ovation, is a retired physician and pathologist who long studied the health benefits of a diet rich in olives and olive oil. Prey is an avid amateur chef who founded Extra Virgin to share her knowledge and love of all things olive and to provide a means for patrons to share their culinary and travel experiences with others.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MD degree from the University of Illinois, Prey was employed as a pathologist for the nation's largest reference laboratory for more than 18 years, achieving the position of medical director for the St. Louis laboratory.

Prey received formal education about the olive oil industry, which included attending a course entitled Sensory Evaluation of Olive Oil, at the University of California at Davis where she studied key curriculum points such as: the anatomy of taste; the scientific approach to tasting; food pairing; agricultural aspects; methods for pressing olives, and an historical perspective of the olive industry. She continues to learn more each day from those who produce this wonderful gift from nature.

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