The premium extra virgin olive oil Estepa Virgen, from Oleoestepa and protected by the DOP Estepa, has been awarded the Chef’s Award at the 2026 JOOTA Awards held in Tokyo. The award was presented by chef Takanori Tanaka from the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka.
The extra virgin olive oil Estepa Virgen, produced by the cooperative Oleoestepa and under the seal of the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) Estepa, has once again put the name of the province of Seville at the forefront of the international scene. This time, it has been recognised with the prestigious Chef’s Award at the 2026 JOOTA Awards (Tokyo International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition), one of the most important competitions in the world dedicated to extra virgin olive oil.
A Prize from High Japanese Gastronomy
What makes this award special is that it is not granted by a panel of technical tasters, but by a top-level chef. In this edition, the person responsible for choosing the winner has been Takanori Tanaka, Grand Chef and head of the kitchen at Restaurant Chambord of the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka (Vignette Collection). Tanaka selected Estepa Virgen among all participating oils for its flavour, aroma, and culinary versatility.
According to sources from Oleoestepa, the recognition from the Japanese chef “is a boost to the quality of our oils and their ability to adapt to the demands of the most refined cuisine.” The award also opens doors to a competitive market like Japan, where gastronomic excellence is almost a mandatory requirement.
Double Triumph in Tokyo
The Chef’s Award was not the only recognition obtained by Estepa Virgen at the 2026 JOOTA Awards. The extra virgin olive oil had already won the Gold Medal in the Medium Green Fruity category, awarded by the technical tasting panel of the competition. Thus, the Sevillian oil achieves a double victory in the same competition: the endorsement of experts and that of a professional from high-end gastronomy.
Estepa Virgen is an early harvest, cold-extracted oil with a green fruity profile that stands out for its balance and harmony. These qualities, according to the managers of Oleoestepa, are what have captivated both the technical jury and Tanaka.
A Dream Campaign for Oleoestepa
This new award adds to a particularly brilliant harvest for the cooperative from Estepa in 2025/2026. Among the most notable milestones is the First Mario Solinas Award 2026 from the International Olive Council for Estepa Virgen, as well as two Gold Medals at Olive Japan 2026 for the Egregio and Oleoestepa Organic extra virgin olive oils. They have also received various national and international recognitions that consolidate their prestige.
For the Export Asia Manager of Oleoestepa, David Aguilar, these awards represent “an important boost for the presence of our oils in demanding international markets like Japan, where quality and gastronomic excellence are particularly valued.”
For consumers in the province of Seville, seeing a local product succeed on the other side of the world is a source of pride. Furthermore, international recognition reinforces the image of the extra virgin olive oils from the DOP Estepa as synonymous with quality, which could translate into greater tourist and commercial interest in the region.
Estepa Virgen oil is available in specialised shops and on the Oleoestepa website, with a price ranging from 12-15 euros for a 500 ml bottle, depending on the point of sale. For cooking enthusiasts, it is an opportunity to try the same extra virgin olive oil that has won over a top Japanese chef.
You may also like
