The story of Oléo Pazzo
Our modern Oléo Pazzo Mediterranean bistro is named after the legendary "Leo Mezzotopoli," nicknamed "Oléo Pazzo" or "crazy olive." These nicknames stemmed from his passion for all things "olive" and his rather eccentric temperament.
No one knows for sure where "Oléo" came from. Some say his mother was a gypsy from Catalonia and his father was a fisherman from Cyprus. Others say that "Oléo" was born on a ship off the Turkish coast, and his family eventually settled in Italy near the village of Santa Oléana deep in the Ligurian inland.
"Oléo" was a great cook, an enthusiastic gardener, and a passionate explorer. He was completely obsessed with olives and constantly sought new ways to prepare them. At the age of fifteen, he left his village and traveled the world for over 40 years, only to return and open the first "World Olive Academy" near Genoa.
During his travels, he cycled thousands of miles along the Mediterranean, accompanied by his Andalusian pet goat, "El Billy," whom he trained to recognize the scent of olives. She would climb trees and bring him back some fantastic pieces.
Based on his knowledge of Mediterranean herbs and plants, "Oléo" fancied himself a bit of a "witch doctor" and developed various oils and marinades, each for a specific purpose, such as enhancing appetite, boosting potency, or helping with insomnia. Whether these remedies actually worked is debatable, but everyone agrees they were excellent.
"Oléo" lived to a ripe old age of 111, suggesting there was something to his lifestyle—perhaps it was the bottle of red wine he drank every morning or the bowl of olives he consumed before bed. Throughout his life, "Oléo" traveled across Europe, taking notes and collecting recipes for wonderful local specialties, salads, special breads, marinated roasts, and grilled dishes, ultimately celebrating his favorite ingredient: the OLIVE in all his recipes.
He left us his message on how to live a healthier and happier life:
- Eat more fish, fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains
- Eat a few olives every day
- Strengthen your body with 30 minutes of light exercise each day
- Listen to good music
- Be kind to animals
- Drink red wine regularly but in moderation
- Say "please" and "thank you"