Olive Garden Media
Relations Contact

Mara Frazier
Manager, Media Relations
(407) 245-5161

Please direct all non-media inquiries to:
Guest Relations
olivegarden@olivegarden.com
(800) 331-2729

BACKGROUND:
In October 1999, Olive Garden announced an unprecedented partnership with Sergio and Daniela Zingarelli, owners of the Italian winery of Rocca delle Macie, one of Italy’s leading producers of Tuscan wines.

The partnership consists of two elements:
Olive Garden Riserva di Fizzano, a restaurant in Tuscany, Italy, specializing in Tuscan cuisine; and the Olive Garden Culinary Institute of Tuscany where Olive Garden managers gain an even greater appreciation for and knowledge of Italian cooking techniques, food, wine and culture.  Both serve as the inspiration for many of the flavorful dishes featured on Olive Garden’s menu.

LOCATION:
Both are located in a restored 11th-century village on the 450-acre Riserva di Fizzano, a property owned by Rocca delle Macie that includes a 21-room inn.  Rocca delle Macie is located in the scenic rolling hills of Tuscany in Castellina in Chianti, near Siena.

CULINARY INSTITUTE OF TUSCANY:
Every year, approximately 100 Olive Garden managers travel to Italy to enhance their culinary skills as part of an ongoing training program designed to bring the genuine Italian dining experience alive for managers and, upon their return, to their restaurant teams and guests.  

Under the direction of Olive Garden Head Chef Romana Neri, attendees learn more about selecting and cooking with only the freshest ingredients, how to properly layer sauces, perfect al dente pasta, and pair sauces and pasta to create the most flavorful meals. 

Managers visit the Rocca delle Macie winery and are introduced to Italy’s illustrious history of winemaking and enhance their knowledge of food and wine pairings. 

Time is also spent in the al fresco markets of Florence and dining and sightseeing throughout Tuscany and Rome.

To date, more than 800 managers and team members have trained at Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany and enjoyed weeklong immersions in Italian food, wine and culture.