my story

HI, I’M GAIL TODARO.

I am a workshop leader and keynote speaker whose deep ancestral roots and passionate relationship with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) led me to create Gail Todaro: OliveWorks. As a Level Two Olive Oil Sommelier, my mission for Gail Todaro: OliveWorks is to provide individuals with an educational, sensory, and culinary experience that helps them explore their own relationship with olive oil and embrace a healthy lifestyle. I collaborate with local olive growers and producers as well as wineries to offer workshops that guide each participant to infuse olive oil into their lifestyle, taste like a Somm, and be a savvy consumer. Participants will immediately be energized and engaged by my passion and humor throughout the workshop. Keep your eye out in the future as I also plan to offer olive farm tours and a dream of writing a book on local growers.

My Background

Raised in the “Valley of Heart’s Delight”, I have an appreciation of olive oil that honors my family’s tradition to make every meal a culinary delight. In 2010, I moved to the Central Coast which is the perfect place to nurture that passion and grow my knowledge of the olive oil industry. An avid traveler, I have tasted at different olive farms in California and across the US, Italia, Spain, Greece, Argentina, and Turkey. During this next chapter in my career, I am committed to exploring all I can about this ‘liquid gold’ and sharing it with others.

For many years after moving to the Central Coast, I worked as a Hospitality and Special Events Manager for a local olive grower and used my marketing, networking, retail sales, and relationship management skills to grow their business and build local community partnerships. I also have a demonstrated career history as a consultant working within a corporation and for my own business, successfully marketing products and services. With a doctorate in Organizational Behavior, I have delivered public speaking communications for major corporations worldwide. My Level Two Sommelier Certification in Olive Oil coupled with my experience as a trainer, consultant, and educator, I am moving on to launch Gail Todaro: OliveWorks – follow on Facebook and Instagram and watch it grow!

Product Industry Experience

Pasolivo Olive Oil - Paso Robles, CA (2016 - 2023)

  • Manager of Special Events and Tasting Rooms

SKILLS: SALES, MARKETING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT

Customer Service – “Customer Focused”

  • Provided a high level of customer service training to tasting room associates based on outstanding communication and interpersonal skills adding $58-$67 per shift and $7-$9 per hour to the associate’s wages through tips and commissions

  • Embedded customer relationship best practices into the business model resulting in an average of 4.4 Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews

  • Planned and executed quarterly club pick up parties for member retention and to introduce new culinary and olive oil products

Sales and Marketing

  • Developed promotional sales strategies which included the downtown location being open seven days per week resulting in a 56% revenue increase and 20% increase in club conversions

  • Launched sixty-two Cooking Cuisine virtual shows during the pandemic showcasing local chefs, winemakers and distillers

  • Acted as the Brand Ambassador at monthly chamber and association mixers to increase visibility and build local partnerships

affiliations

  • Member: Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association

    • Vendor Recruitment 2024-2025 Olive and Lavender Festival

  • Member: Women in Olive Oil

  • Past Member: Central Coast Olive Growers, Paso Robles, CA

    • Workshop: The Palate & The Plate: A California Olive Oil Experience with Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne

  • Member: Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area

education

  • Level Two Olive Oil Sommelier – International Culinary Center Olive Oil Times Education Lab, San Francisco, CA

  • Sensory Evaluation of Olive Oil Certificate Course – UC Davis Robert Mondavi Institute

  • Seminar, EVOO and Clinical Risk Factors – Mary M. Flynn, Ph.D., RD, LDN, San Luis Obispo

  • Food Handlers Certification – Online Course

  • Doctorate in Organizational Behavior and Counseling – Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA

  • Master of Arts, Education with emphasis in career management – San Jose State University

  • Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Sociology – California State University, Chico