Fil Bucchino, a Florence-born and Toronto-bred trilingual documentarian, educator, and entrepreneur, has a fervent passion for olive oil, as showcased in his award-winning documentary “Obsessed with Olive Oil,” which he both hosted and co-produced.
Embracing the mission “No Grove Abandoned,” Fil founded Abandoned Grove to produce premium extra virgin olive oil from regenerated groves, raising awareness and restoring the connection to the olive tree, the landscape, the environment, and the community.
In 2023, A.I.R.O. honored Fil as the “Olive Oil Personality of the Year,” an award given to an individual who has shown remarkable commitment to spreading and sharing their passion for olive oil. Fil collaborates with numerous institutions and culinary icons, teaching master classes and working on projects with organizations such as Yale University, the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), the Italian Trade Commission, Slow Food, the Mediterranean Round Table (MDR), the Lebanese Embassy, the Italian and Spanish Chambers of Commerce, and Women in Olive Oil.
He is a regular fixture as a judge at international olive oil competitions, including EVO-IOOC, Olio Nuovo Days, Olivonomy, Orciolo d’Oro, Olive d’Or, and Canada IOOC. Fil’s expertise has been featured in various global olive oil publications, such as the Toronto Star, UAE’s Shawati’ Magazine, The Brazilian Olive Oil Guide, El Anuario Olivar Español, South Korea’s Magazine F, Italy’s Chef Andrea Perini’s “Trenta Gocce,” and the USA’s David Neuman’s “Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Truth in Your Kitchen.”
Accredited in the ONAOO International Register of Professional Olive Oil Tasters, Fil is also the only Canadian member of the Italian National Directory of Virgin and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Experts at the CCIAA of Florence, Italy.
For nearly 20 years, Fil has been a passionate communicator and avid promoter of extra virgin olive oil, focusing on education, production techniques, sustainability, and health benefits. He holds a BSc in BioMedical Sciences and spent almost a decade as a professional musician, recording and performing throughout his career.
