Meet the artisan behind our Palestinian olive oil
At Ebury by Fat Macy’s, olive oil is more than a finishing touch. It brings fragrance, colour and depth to the dishes we serve, from Lebanese-inspired light bites to generous sharing plates. A good oil can make fresh bread feel special, lift a simple salad and give roasted vegetables a warm, rounded finish.
That is why we are proud to source Palestinian olive oil through Zaytoun, a UK-based social enterprise that works with small-scale farmers and producers in Palestine. Its approach connects the people who cultivate the olives with customers who care about quality, provenance and fairer trade.
This partnership reflects the values at the heart of Ebury. We are a restaurant, deli and events venue in Pimlico, but our purpose reaches beyond the plate. Through Fat Macy’s 200-hour programme, we support young people living in temporary accommodation with professional training, practical experience and a route towards greater independence.
Why olive oil matters at Ebury
Olive oil is one of the defining ingredients in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is used for dipping, dressing, marinating and cooking, with each application revealing something different about its character. A peppery extra virgin olive oil can bring energy to a dish, while a softer, fruitier oil adds richness without overpowering delicate ingredients.
Our menu takes inspiration from Lebanese flavours, where balance is essential. Lemon, herbs, garlic, grains, pulses and vegetables each have their own brightness and texture. Olive oil helps bring these elements together. It carries seasoning across a dish and creates the silky finish that makes a plate feel complete.
At the deli, the oil also has a life beyond the kitchen. Guests can enjoy it with bread, use it as part of a mezze spread or take artisanal products home. That connection between restaurant service and the pantry is important to us. We want people to understand the ingredients they are eating and the people whose work made them possible.
Getting to know Zaytoun
Zaytoun is a social enterprise established to support Palestinian farmers and producers through ethical trade. Its name comes from the Arabic word for olive, a fitting identity for an organisation closely connected to the traditional olive harvest and the communities that depend on it.
The organisation works with farming communities and producer groups, helping bring products such as extra virgin olive oil, dates, almonds and za’atar to customers in the UK. This model gives producers access to international markets while retaining the value and story of their work within their own communities.
For Ebury, the relationship is meaningful because it combines a clear social purpose with a product we genuinely want to use. The oil has a distinctive presence, but it remains versatile enough for everyday cooking. It belongs on the table at a special dinner and in a small bowl beside warm flatbread.
The partnership also gives our team a chance to talk about responsible sourcing in a natural way. When a guest asks where the oil comes from, we can explain its journey, the role of Palestinian olive farmers and the importance of choosing products with a transparent supply chain.
From olive grove to kitchen
The production of extra virgin olive oil begins with the harvest. Timing matters. Olives need to be gathered at the right stage of ripeness, then handled carefully and pressed promptly to protect their flavour and freshness. Weather, terrain and growing conditions all influence the final profile.
In Palestine, olive cultivation is deeply tied to family life, local identity and agricultural tradition. Many groves are cared for across generations. The harvest can be a communal period, bringing relatives and neighbours together to pick the fruit and transport it for pressing.
Once the oil reaches our kitchen, we treat it with the same respect. We store it away from direct light and excessive heat, and we use it where its flavour can be appreciated. A drizzle over hummus, labneh or grilled vegetables allows the oil to speak clearly. In a marinade or dressing, it becomes part of a wider conversation between herbs, citrus and spice.
The result is a product with a sense of place. It carries the green, grassy character associated with freshly pressed olives, alongside a gentle bitterness and a peppery finish. Those qualities make it especially well suited to the fresh, ingredient-led food served at Ebury.
| What we look for | What our olive oil brings |
|---|---|
| Clear provenance | A connection to Palestinian farming communities and producer groups |
| Full, balanced flavour | Fruity olive notes with a fresh, peppery finish |
| Everyday versatility | Suitable for dipping, dressing, marinating and finishing |
| Social value | Trade that supports small-scale producers and ethical sourcing |
| Natural fit with our menu | A strong partner for herbs, pulses, vegetables, bread and mezze |
A shared approach to hospitality
A supplier relationship is strongest when the values behind the product align with the values of the venue. Zaytoun’s focus on farmer-led production and ethical trade sits naturally alongside Fat Macy’s mission. Both organisations recognise that food can create opportunity, preserve dignity and bring people into meaningful connection.
At Ebury, training is part of the daily rhythm of hospitality. The Fat Macy’s programme gives young people living in temporary accommodation 200 hours of professional development and work experience. Participants learn practical skills across food preparation, service and the wider operation of a restaurant, while building confidence for future employment.
Ingredients become part of that learning environment. A trainee may prepare a dressing, plate a mezze dish or speak with guests about a product in the deli. These tasks may appear small, yet they develop the attention to detail, communication and kitchen awareness that hospitality careers require.
Working with socially minded suppliers helps make those lessons more complete. It shows that a restaurant’s impact is shaped by many decisions: who grows an ingredient, how it is traded, how it is stored and how it reaches the guest. Responsible hospitality begins long before a plate leaves the pass.
Tasting the difference
The best way to appreciate this olive oil is to try it simply. Pour a little into a shallow dish, add a pinch of salt if desired and dip in warm bread. The first impression is fresh and fruity, followed by a subtle bitterness and a clean, peppery lift.
It also works beautifully with classic mezze. Spoon it over hummus, drizzle it across baba ganoush or use it to finish a plate of labneh. It brings gloss to the surface and adds a layer of flavour without masking the main ingredient.
For home cooks, the oil is equally useful in everyday dishes. Toss it through roasted squash, dress lentils with lemon and herbs, or use it to make a quick vinaigrette for bitter leaves. Its character stands up to garlic, sumac, mint and parsley, while its texture softens grains and pulses.
At Ebury, we enjoy using it in ways that feel generous rather than complicated. Great ingredients do not need elaborate treatment. They need careful handling, good company and enough space for their natural qualities to be noticed.
Better sourcing, stronger connections
Choosing a socially responsible olive oil does not mean treating flavour as an afterthought. In this case, the ethical and culinary qualities reinforce each other. A shorter, clearer story about the product makes it easier to value, while a delicious product gives that story a place in everyday life.
Zaytoun’s work helps create a relationship between producers in Palestine and customers in Britain. That relationship is built through trade, but it is also strengthened by attention: attention to the harvest, to traditional farming knowledge and to the economic realities faced by agricultural communities.
For Ebury, the connection continues through our restaurant, deli and private events. We can use the oil in a shared meal, feature it within a catered menu or recommend it as part of a hamper of artisanal products. Each setting offers a different way to experience the ingredient.
This is what meeting the artisan behind a product can reveal. The bottle on the shelf is the final point of a much longer journey involving land, labour, skill and community. Understanding that journey encourages more thoughtful choices without taking away the pleasure of eating.
Ways to enjoy the oil at home
A few simple serving ideas can bring the flavour of Palestinian extra virgin olive oil into an everyday kitchen:
- Serve it with warm sourdough or flatbread as an easy starter or afternoon snack.
- Drizzle it over hummus, labneh, roasted aubergine or a bowl of lentils.
- Whisk it with lemon juice, garlic and chopped herbs for a bright salad dressing.
- Finish roasted vegetables, grilled fish or chickpeas with a small pour just before serving.
- Pair it with other deli favourites in a mezze board for relaxed sharing.
Keeping the bottle in a cool, dark cupboard will help preserve its freshness. Olive oil is best enjoyed regularly, so use it generously while its aroma and flavour are at their liveliest.
Our olive oil supplier is part of a wider community of farmers, makers and mission-driven businesses that shape the Ebury experience. Visit us in Pimlico to taste it with our Lebanese-inspired food, browse our artisanal deli selection or include it in a private dining and event catering menu. For a meal with purpose, thoughtful hospitality and ingredients with a story, book your next gathering at Ebury by Fat Macy’s.