Oleologist is supported by professionals working across olive oil production, analysis, research and communication. This page provides an overview of the individuals contributing to the platform, their background and their role within Oleologist.
Each profile reflects direct expertise related to olive oil quality, origin and context.
Kostas Liris –
Agronomist | Olive Oil Expert | Sensory Evaluation Specialist
Kostas Liris is an agronomist with additional academic training in economics and longstanding expertise in olive oil production, quality assessment and sensory evaluation. He is based in Kalamata, Greece, and collaborates with international organisations across the olive oil and agri-food sector.
Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in issues related to olive oil production, quality control, sensory analysis and market positioning. During his collaboration with Salov Group (Filippo Berio Olive Oil), he was responsible for the Greek and Middle Eastern markets. Prior to that, he served as Sales Manager and Director of the standardisation facility of the Agricultural Cooperatives Union of Messinia, where he also contributed to the development and coordination of regional cooperatives.
Since 2014, Kostas Liris has been a judge at leading international olive oil competitions, including NYIOOC (New York International Olive Oil Competition), JOOP Tokyo, ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition, EVO International Olive Oil Competition, and others. Between 2016 and 2019, and in subsequent years, he was appointed Panel Leader for several of these competitions, including NYIOOC, JOOP Tokyo, ATHENA IOOC and TERRA OLIVO.
In parallel, he is actively involved in education and professional training. He teaches olive oil production, sensory analysis, food safety and quality assessment in New York, London and San Francisco, in collaboration with Olive Oil Times Education Lab. He also collaborates with Olio Nuovo Days in Paris, where he serves as President of the Competition Jury.
Kostas Liris is the founder of IRIS – Agricultural Union of Messinia – Kostas Liris, a consultancy providing advisory services within the agricultural and agri-food sector, with a focus on quality, production systems and market development.
A significant milestone in his career was receiving an official letter of appreciation from former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, recognising his contribution to the international promotion and development of high-quality Greek products.
He is also a regular columnist for professional magazines and journals within the olive oil and agri-food domain.
Kostas Liris – LinkedIn profile.
Olive Oil Expert | Sensory Evaluation Specialist | Educator
With extensive professional experience in the field of olive oil, Emmanuelle Dechelette combines expertise, education and cultural advocacy at the highest level. As an expert and trainer at FERRANDI Paris, she is deeply committed to the transmission of knowledge and to positioning olive oil as a product of exceptional gastronomic and cultural value.
As President of the Olio Nuovo Days, she plays a central role in promoting high quality olive oils through precise organisation, strategic communication and strong marketing insight. Her work consistently bridges producers, professionals and the wider public, translating technical excellence into accessible and meaningful narratives.
As an ambassador of exceptional olive oils, Emmanuelle is dedicated to highlighting oils from both hemispheres. This international perspective is reflected in her book Extra Vierge, as well as in her ongoing collaboration with producers, where storytelling and sensory understanding are used to reinforce the value of origin, variety and craftsmanship.
Her work is driven by a clear mission: to support producers, preserve olive oil heritage and elevate the cultural, sensory and professional standards of olive oil worldwide.
Emmanuelle Dechelette – LinkedIn profile
Editor | Author | Platform & Communication
Estefano Onatrac is the editor of the Oleologist platform. His role focuses on editorial direction, platform structure and external communication, rather than olive oil analysis or evaluation.
He is the author of The New Aromas of Greece, a Dutch publication exploring contemporary Greek gastronomy and product culture from a SlowFood perspective. The book includes a dedicated chapter on olive oil, as well as an in-depth interview with agronomist and olive oil expert Kostas Liris.
His work is rooted in the broader SLOW framework and informed by academic training in food sustainability through the EiiS programme in Rome. This background supports his focus on origin, cultural context and responsible communication around food systems.
Within OLEOLOGIST, he is responsible for content architecture, editorial consistency and the translation of professional expertise into clear, accessible communication for media, institutions and international audiences.
His involvement is strictly positioned at platform, editorial and communication level.
Estefano Onatrac – LinkedIn profile