Elevating Culinary Experiences
by Peter Briccetti
In America, as it is in the rest of the world, the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, the place in the house that is consistently the most alive throughout every stage of the day. Within the kitchen, ingredients and implements are naturally arranged according to an ancient hierarchical order of importance and usefulness to the daily running of the family. Coffee lives next to the coffee maker, all-purpose flour lives in a corner cabinet, pots and pans live underneath the stove, and butter usually resides in a crock on the counter. But olive oil sits in its rightful place of honor beside the stovetop next to the salt and pepper, the only other ingredients in the kitchen that come close to matching olive oil’s ubiquity.
In the world of home cooking, the quality of the olive oil that one uses has the power to significantly transform everyday food into an extraordinary experience. In the words of the seminal Italian-American food writer Marcella Hazan, “The taste of a dish for which you need olive oil will be as good or as ordinary as the oil you use. A sublime one can lift even modest ingredients to eminent heights of flavor; a dreary oil will pull the best ingredients down to its own level.”
Marcella’s ethos is beautifully embodied by Olivelle, a Bozeman-born-and-bred company that specializes in premium olive oil and fine cookware, making food more approachable and, consequently, more lovable. Since its inception in 2006, Olivelle has grown from a Bozeman retail presence into a national manufacturing powerhouse, offering the highest quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar sourced directly from farmers. This commitment to excellence sets Olivelle apart in a crowded marketplace.
Olivelle’s olive oil, balsamic vinegar, herbs, spices, and infused sea salts have become critical ingredients for many local restaurants. Steve Kuntz, co-owner of Feast Raw Bar & Bistro, praises Olivelle for its line of bespoke products, saying, “As a chef, the most important element besides creativity is having quality products to work with. Olivelle has been providing us with delicious flavor infusions and beautiful olive oils ever since they opened their shop. Their commitment to sourcing the best oils, vinegars, and seasonings makes our job that much easier.”
Sarah Fabritz of All Over Bozeman has become a fan of Olivelle as well, adding,
“I fell in love with Olivelle after tasting their oils and balsamics; however, after their recent store expansion, I’ve discovered that their kitchen wares and appliances are absolutely swoon-worthy. Their oils are the only ones I use now and I will never go back.”
–Sarah Fabritz, All Over Bozeman
“I fell in love with Olivelle after tasting their oils and balsamics; however, after their recent store expansion, I’ve discovered that their kitchen wares and appliances are absolutely swoon-worthy. Their oils are the only ones I use now and I will never go back.”
The Essence of Olivelle:
A Farm-to-Bottle pPhilosophy
At the heart of Olivelle’s identity is a dedication to quality. The company’s olive oil is not merely a product; it is a crafted experience that embodies the journey from farm to bottle. By purchasing olives directly from farmers, Olivelle ensures that every bottle of oil encapsulates the essence of green, grassy groves that cultivate the finest olives. Each drop reflects the care and dedication of the growers, making Olivelle’s offerings far more than cooking essentials—they are culinary legacies.
Olivelle’s founders, Brie Thompson and her mother, Michelle, see the roots of the olive tree as a model for their business philosophy. Just as the roots nourish and anchor the tree, Olivelle aims to nourish connections in kitchens across America.
Olivelle’s founders, Brie Thompson and her mother, Michelle, see the roots of the olive tree as a model for their business philosophy. Just as the roots nourish and anchor the tree, Olivelle aims to nourish connections in kitchens across America. The business that once had its start in a cozy 1,000-square-foot space on 19th Street has recently moved to a beautiful new space located at 1940 West Main Street, entirely redesigned and remodeled by the Olivelle family. The furniture and the shelving of the new location was done by Montana Angle Worx, designed and fabricated by Brie’s husband Sean, the founder of the company. With natural slate floors and an elegantly crafted kitchen, the new space is a reflection of Olivelle’s evergreen mission: creating beautiful, usable items that become overnight essentials to home cooking. Olivelle’s products are made to be cherished, elevating them from disposable to indispensable in the culinary journey. Over the years, they have built a strong brand characterized by legacy pieces that enhance daily rituals in cooking. Their approach to cookware and olive oil is rustic yet modern, appealing to both traditional home cooks and contemporary culinary enthusiasts.
At Olivelle, products such as hand-forged carbon steel skillets, beautifully crafted damascus steel knives, and elegant ceramic baking dishes are designed to harmonize with their exquisite olive oils, enhancing both flavor and presentation. Specialty tools like flisks and garlic presses allow home cooks to cook with more ease, while high-performance appliances such as espresso machines and food processors streamline the preparation process.
Olivelle also focuses on providing tabletop items that elevate everyday memories around the table with durable and timeless tableware like Tritan Crystal Wine Classes and Fortessa Plateware and Flatware. Together, these elements work in tandem to turn everyday cooking into a creative culinary adventure, making it easy for anyone to express their individual style and elevate the flavors of their favorite recipes. By investing in quality utensils and cookware, cooks not only amplify the benefits of fine olive oil but also enrich their overall kitchen experience, transforming routine meal preparation into an art form.
Olivelle is not just a product provider but also a hub for culinary education and community engagement. For the past 15 years, the company has been hosting cooking classes that invite participants to deepen their appreciation for food and cooking. These classes transform Olivelle’s newly finished kitchen into a learning space where participants discover how to incorporate Olivelle’s products into their culinary practices. The environment created by Brie and Michelle fosters a sense of warmth and belonging, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned chef.
Brie, who initially focused on the business side of the company, faced skepticism in the early days of Olivelle about her fascination with the finest types of olive oil. When she began attending trade shows, many in the industry questioned her decision to invest in high-quality olive oils to use for infusing. However, Brie’s perseverance led her to further educate herself and prove her expertise, eventually becoming one of 12 master “sommeliers” of olive oil. The determination to craft exceptional products has paid off, as Olivelle now supplies its olive oil system to over 130 independently owned stores across the United States.
At Olivelle, the concept of flavor is deeply layered, much like the recipes they produce. Recipe cards, such as Olivelle’s famous “Big Sky Steak Salad” or “Creamy Wild Mushroom and Sage Gnocchi” each feature different types of infused olive oil or balsamic as the foundational ingredient and provide customers with inspiration on how to combine flavors and elevate their home cooking. Each interaction with Olivelle’s products transforms not only meals but also the experience of cooking itself, as the kitchen becomes an extension of one’s personality and values through exceptional recipes.
In a world filled with fleeting trends and disposable items, Olivelle stands out as a beacon of quality and authenticity. By making gourmet cooking approachable, they invite everyone—regardless of skill level—to find something special within their offerings. Whether a customer is looking for a unique gift or hoping to enhance their own kitchen, Olivelle’s legacy kitchenware and high-quality oils are designed to enrich lives and create lasting memories around the dinner table. With Olivelle, every meal becomes more than just food; it turns into a celebration of flavors, heritage, and connection.
