Why You Should Include High-Quality EVOO in Your Restaurant?

If you’re a restaurateur and have been offered high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), you might have some questions or concerns.

In the restaurant industry, choosing quality EVOO isn’t always a priority. Restaurateurs often face challenges and objections when introducing premium EVOO to their tables.

In this article, we’ll explore common objections raised by restaurateurs and provide concrete arguments explaining why high-quality EVOO can be a worthwhile investment.

“I already have oil on the table; why should I change?”

Many restaurateurs use EVOO, perhaps supplied with their basic provisions, and don’t see the need to replace it. The answer is simple: high-quality EVOO can significantly elevate the dining experience for your customers. It can truly enhance the flavors of your dishes, acting as a complement that enriches the taste of your meals, leaving customers with a more authentic and memorable dining experience. Instead of merely seasoning, the oil becomes an integral part of the culinary experience.

Offering high-quality EVOO isn’t just about seasoning; it’s an opportunity to stand out. Such oil can enhance dishes, attracting customers who value quality and tradition.

Additionally, you might consider offering an oil menu or pairing specific oils with certain dishes, turning this condiment into a unique experience for your guests.

“My supplier includes it with the wine delivery, while your oil is much more expensive!”

It’s true; the cost may seem high compared to other suppliers. However, it’s important to understand that high-quality EVOO isn’t the same as mass-produced oil.

High-quality EVO oils are carefully produced in small batches and monitored to preserve their freshness and quality.

The price reflects the superior quality and the necessary controls to ensure an excellent product. Moreover, you can collaborate with the producer to find a customized solution, perhaps establishing a regular supply system that makes the price more accessible for continuous use without compromising quality.

Superior quality oil costs more than mass-produced products, but there’s a good reason for this. Its quality is incomparable to generic or bulk products. Offering high-quality oil can elevate your culinary offerings and attract a more discerning and conscious clientele.

“Small 100 or 250 ml bottles are too easy to take away. Larger formats are better.”

Using 100 or 250 ml bottles isn’t just about convenience; it’s about quality.

High-quality EVOO tends to deteriorate more quickly if exposed to air for too long, especially in a dynamic environment like a restaurant. Smaller formats help maintain the oil’s freshness and preserve its organoleptic properties.

It’s also important to clearly communicate to customers that the oil is intended for on-site use only and not for takeaway. You can serve the bottles on a tray or include a note explaining the oil’s value and its importance in complementing the meal’s quality.

“To cover purchase costs, I have to raise prices, and customers don’t want to pay extra for oil.”

This is one of the most common objections.

However, you can present the oil as added value to your culinary offerings, not as an extra cost. If customers perceive the value of high-quality oil, they might be willing to pay a small supplement. There’s an unmet need in customers that can be addressed by introducing them to new experiences.

The oil could be included in a special dish or offered as part of a unique dining experience. You might add a note to the menu explaining the benefits of high-quality EVOO and how it enhances the flavors of your dishes, justifying any additional cost.

For example, you could consider:

• Offer the oil only on specific dishes or in combination with courses that benefit from it, such as a grilled steak or soup.
• Offer an “oil cart” with oils of different fruitiness and intensity
• Think of dishes that do not leave the kitchen already finished but that can be completed at the table with the addition of an EVO oil specific to that course, a bit like you would do with a sauce or stock.
• Not necessarily increase the price of the menu, but offer the oil as a “premium” option for selected dishes.
• Include the oil as part of a tasting menu or as a special accompaniment to particular dishes, rather than charging for it as a separate extra. This way, customers will perceive the oil as part of the exclusive culinary experience, rather than an additional cost. You could also consider introducing the bottle as an exclusive option, to be offered to customers at the end of the meal, as a memento or souvenir of the quality of the oil and the cuisine.

You can start by introducing oil gradually, without having to change everything on the menu. For example, by offering oil as an optional “plus” on some key dishes or offering oil as part of a tasting menu.

This also allows you to evaluate customer response without having to overturn the organization of the restaurant.

Offering a high-quality extra virgin olive oil is not just a matter of taste, but a strategic choice to enhance the gastronomic experience of your customers. Introducing a quality EVO oil in your restaurant distinguishes it in the local culinary scene while creating a new opportunity for profit.

Casa Julia EVO oil is a premium product, with excellent chemical parameters (such as an acidity of 0.16, peroxides of 5.1 and a polyphenol level of 652, 2024 harvest data) and is produced in one of the most prestigious oil mills in Tuscany, Frantoio Franci.

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Extra virgin olive oil (EVO) is one of the pillars of Mediterranean cuisine and represents much more than just a condiment. Choosing quality EVO oil for your restaurant can transform your customers’ gastronomic experience, offering added value that is reflected in every dish.

Enhance Your Dishes

A high-quality EVO oil not only enriches the flavor of your dishes but also demonstrates your attention to excellent ingredients.

Serving it on a soup, stuffed pasta, and, why not, a dessert with dark chocolate, the oil becomes the protagonist, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients. Your customers will notice the difference and appreciate your commitment to quality.

Communicate Attention to Quality

Including high-quality EVO oil in your menu shows that you care about the quality and culinary experience of your customers. This can help you stand out from the competition and create an image of excellence.

Meet the Expectations of Modern Customers

More and more customers are interested in the quality of ingredients and their origin. Offering a premium EVO oil allows you to respond to this growing demand for authenticity, health, and sustainability.