New Delhi: In a celebration of culinary artistry, Portuguese extra virgin olive oil brand Coração Do Vale marked its India debut with an exclusive tasting experience hosted in collaboration with renowned chef Davinder Kumar at Le Meridien, New Delhi, on Friday afternoon.
Titled “The Portuguese Pour — Chef DK’s Tasting Series,” the invitation-only event brought together the heritage of Portugal’s olive groves and Chef Kumar’s decades-long culinary expertise. The showcase introduced Indian food enthusiasts to Coração Do Vale, an ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil sourced from Baixo Alentejo, one of Portugal’s most respected olive-growing regions.
The event positioned Coração Do Vale as more than just a gourmet ingredient, presenting it instead as a refined culinary companion capable of enhancing both European and Indian flavours. Introduced to the Indian market by Leads Brand Connect, the brand reflects traditional Portuguese craftsmanship tailored for modern premium dining experiences.
A specially curated tasting menu by Chef Davinder Kumar highlighted the oil’s versatility across a range of dishes. Four signature recipes were created exclusively for the occasion, each designed to demonstrate how the olive oil could complement bold textures and layered flavours without overpowering them.
Guests were also served an elaborate lunch spread that opened with crostini, olive focaccia with EVOO, and roasted makhana, followed by Broccoli Almond Soup with EVOO Pesto Crostini. Main courses included Pan Seared Fish with Mint Caper & EVOO Tapenade, Murg Tikka Lazeez, Paneer Khaas, Pasta Aglio e Olio, and Dum Subz Biryani.
Speaking at the event, Richa Khandewal, Managing Director of Leads Brand Connect, said the occasion was a celebration of both Indian culinary excellence and the richness of Portuguese extra virgin olive oil.
“We couldn’t have expected a better debut for Coração Do Vale in India than the kitchen of a legend like Chef DK. This tasting series marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long and flavourful chapter in India’s premium culinary story,” she said.
Chef Davinder Kumar described the olive oil as distinctive for its layered character and balance. According to him, Coração Do Vale stands out because of its blend of seven native Portuguese olive varieties, each contributing a unique note to the final product.
“The result is a fine balance of fruity and grassy tones, a creamy mid-palate, and a clean peppery finish,” Kumar said. “Coração Do Vale never competes with the food, it completes it.”
The olive oil is crafted using a blend of Arbequina, Arbosana, Cobrançosa, Picual, Cordovil, Verdeal, and Galega olives. As an early harvest, cold-extracted EVOO, it is designed to preserve natural antioxidants such as polyphenols while maintaining low acidity and a balanced flavour profile aimed at refined palates.
With its premium positioning, the brand is being presented as both a gourmet kitchen essential and a luxury lifestyle product. It can be used across a wide variety of dishes, from salads, soups, and pastas to grilled meats, breads, and finishing drizzles. The company also sees strong appeal for the product in the gifting segment, particularly for festive occasions and weddings, thanks to its artisanal story and upscale packaging.
Coração Do Vale is currently available in India through its direct-to-consumer platform, Amazon India, and select premium gourmet stores across Delhi-NCR.
