London, October 2026: Cornwall-based deli restaurant group, Sabzi, launches its own Extra Virgin Olive Oil this autumn. The product, made from Koroneiki olives grown in southern Greece, will be used in dishes across Sabzi’s menus, but also available to purchase in store and online.
Sabzi owner and founder, Kate Arjomandi-Attlee worked closely with Cristina Stribacu, olive oil producer and founder of LIÁ, and importer Issy Carey of The Oil Merchant, to define the character of this oil, choosing to harvest early, when around 70% of the olives were still green. The result is a single-estate, filtered Koroneiki extra virgin olive oil with a vibrant, expressive profile and pronounced herbaceous notes. Rich in natural antioxidants, it stays stable when heated, so it works for cooking, but it truly shines raw: on salads, and as a finishing oil for soups, stews and rice dishes.
Arjomandi-Attlee said, “Extra virgin olive oil is a product that is very close to my heart – I have grown up with stories of the Iranian olive oil produced locally to my family in Qazvin, and I am passionate about its health benefits, and of course, its absolutely delicious flavour. It has long been a dream of mine to launch our very own olive oil to be used in Sabzi’s kitchens, but also to be enjoyed by our customers in their own kitchens too.
“It has been such a pleasure to work with Cristina and Issy to make this happen, and it feels all the more special knowing that the Koroneiki olives were grown using regenerative farming practices, on a single farm, by one family, in the village of Milies. The grove sits in a landscape rich in biodiversity, close to the Folóï
Oak Forest - one of the largest oak forests in Greece, and to Ancient Olympia, in the Pelopponese. southern Greece.
“It is so clear from the conversations Cristina, Issy and I have had, that we have a shared belief in the huge importance of the work of farmers and producers in sustainable agriculture, and being able to work with them to bring this beautiful oil to Cornwall, and the UK for others to enjoy is very exciting.”
“The human element is very important to me, and with Kate at Sabzi, I know that our beliefs align: in making this oil we are supporting a community, and sharing the treasures of this area of Greece.”
Sabzi Deli has become known for its menus of freshly-prepared, daily-changing dishes using seasonal ingredients, offered at an affordable price point for the local community, as well as visitors to the county.
Arjomandi-Attlee continued: “Sabzi is here to serve its communities, and we seek to provide a delicious, nourishing and memorable experience to our guests. Combining sustainable ingredients with creative cookery is what we’re all about, and I believe this way of cooking has the opportunity to really change the way we eat. Being able to showcase such a beautiful olive oil that is produced in harmony with nature and the environment, is a real privilege, and I am so delighted to be introducing this product to our customers at Sabzi.”
Press Contact
For further information and to request samples, please contact:
Charlotte Allen – [email protected]
Diana Massey - [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
100% Koroneiki. Fruitiness: 5.3, Bitterness: 3.5, Pungency: 4.5
Cold extracted in a 2-phase Alfa Laval mill, this 100% Koroneiki oil presents a vibrant and expressive profile with pronounced green fruitiness. The nose opens with fresh-cut herbs and green olive, followed by notes of chicory and artichoke. On the palate, a creamy hint of avocado blends with green bean freshness. The bitterness is structured, while the pungency builds gradually, leading to a clean and persistent finish.
- Cristina Stribacu is a Greece-based olive oil expert and entrepreneur, and co-founder of LIÁ Extra Virgin Olive Oil. She was recently named one of the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, an honur from the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, in recognition of her work preserving Greece’s indigenous olive varieties, promoting sustainable olive production, and empowering women and young farmers in rural communities.
- The Oil Merchant is a family-run and owned business, founded in 1984 by Charles Carey. They were the first olive oil specialists in the UK, and their aim continues to be to champion the small-scale producer and share their craft with shops and customers around the UK.
- Sabzi stores:
- Truro - 16a Walsingham Place, Truro TR1 2RP
- Falmouth - 16 Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3JA
- Padstow - 18 Duke Street, Padstow PL28 8AB
- Nansledan – Unit 1, Hub Building, Stret Myghtern Arthur, Nansledan TR8 4UX
About Sabzi: Kate Arjomandi-Attlee is the founder and owner of Sabzi. Kate was born and raised in Cornwall. With an Iranian father and British mother, she has been surrounded by international flavours and naturally brings this variety and originality to her cooking. After a number of years in London where Kate gained valuable training and experience in the hospitality industry at Michelin star level, she returned to Cornwall to marry and raise her family. In 2015 Kate hosted a number of sell-out supper club events from her home in Truro, showcasing Iranian food to Cornish audiences in an intimate and informal setting. 2018 saw Kate apply and be accepted from over 3000 applicants, to appear on, and to reach the quarter finals of BBC1’s Master Chef. The experience confirmed for Kate her enduring passion for the food industry and enjoyment of cooking and serving her food to others with love, great flavour and flair. In 2019, Kate opened Sabzi in Truro, followed by Sabzi in Falmouth in summer 2022, and sites in Padstow and Nansledan in summer and autumn 2023, respectively.
