A unique hands-on harvesting event and dinner for the complete experience of Bidni Olive Oil.

Fans of the distinctive flavour of Malta’s very own endemic Bidni Olive Oil will soon have the unique chance to experience it in a totally new way.

The well-known Mediterranean Culinary Academy is hosting the ‘From Branch to Bottle’ special event, in which guests can join in the harvesting of the olives for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the monovarietal Bidni olive oil is made.

This hands-on harvesting event, which will be held on two consecutive nights, will also conclude with a delicious dinner that highlights the mouth-watering flavour profile of the Bidni olive oil that guests will have helped to produce.

“We are delighted to be able to host the From Branch to Bottle event as we approach the Bidni olive harvesting season, so that fans can see for themselves how this endemic olive oil is produced, and what makes it so special,” says Stephen La Rosa, chief culinary officer at the Mediterranean Culinary Academy.

On both Saturday 5 October and Sunday 6 October, the event’s programme will include an introduction and olive grove tour from cultivator Immanuel Grima, the olive picking accompanied by fresh snacks, and a short talk about olive oil processing with a comparative tasting.

The evening will conclude with a sunset dinner, which has a delicious menu with options such as confit and marinated olives, focaccia with fennel and rosemary, fresh ġbejna salad with almonds and honey, slow roasted Porchetta cooked in a wood fire oven, roast beetroot salad with labneh and hazelnuts, and a honey tart with roast fruit, yoghurt and mint. Vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements can also be catered for.

What’s more, each participant will also go home with special version of the 500ml bottle of Bidni olive oil, which has a touch of filigree made by a local artisan.

Tickets to the event are priced at €85 per person, which includes all food and drink as well as the experience, and olive oil tasting. Places are limited to 15 per night, so make sure to book yours today at www.mcamalta.com.

The ‘From Branch to Bottle’ event hosted by Mediterranean Culinary Academy will take place on both Saturday 5 October and Sunday 6 October. This event will involve physical activity and is weather dependent; in the case of inclement weather, separate dates will be provided. More information may be found online at www.mcamalta.com