Dr. Antonio G. Lauro, a renowed agronomist and official at the Regional Company for the Development of Calabrian Agriculture (ARSAC), is a distinguished expert in olive cultivation. Currently positioned within the Calabria Regional Department of Agriculture, he offers vast experience as an olive oil consultant and a specialist in sensory analysis, with a primary focus on agri-food marketing, particularly extra virgin olive oil.

As the visionary founder of the “Prim’Olio” tasting committee, Dr. Lauro assumes a pivotal role as a judge in major global olive oil competitions. In 2016, he spearheaded “Domina IOOC,” now recognized as “EVO IOOC Italy.” Co-founding “TerraOlivo Jerusalem” in 2010, he has consistently led tastings as the Panel Leader.

Since 2013, Dr. Lauro has steered the “OLIVINUS Argentina” panel and holds the esteemed position of Head Panelist for the prestigious “NYWorld – New York World Olive Oil Competition.” A distinguished figure in international competitions, he has been a JOOP (Japan Olive Oil Prize) taster since 2017 and assumed the role of Head Panelist in 2021. His notable collaborations include Athena IOOC Greece (2016-2018) and OLIVONOMY Paris in 2022. Dr. Lauro also serves as the Head Panelist of Anatolian IOOC (Turkey).

Beyond his competition engagements, Dr. Lauro shares his expertise in the Olive Oil Sommelier course at IOOS International Olive Oil School locations sponsored by Olive Oil Times Education Lab, spanning New York, San Francisco, Croatia, and London. He is the visionary founder of the International Olive Oil Academy, promoted by EVO IOOC Italy, significantly contributing to training initiatives in the olive oil sector.

As a prolific author, Dr. Lauro actively manages the esteemed blog “Antonio Lauro, the Blog,” dedicated to extra virgin olive oil since 2008.