Valentin Humer grew up in Linz, a small town on the Danube River in Austria. Like many European families, the Humers had a plot in the community garden where they raised all the produce they ate. There was a little house on the property, and in the summer time the children loved spending the night there.

Sustainable and biodynamic were simply assumed methods of farming to Valentin�s father. The meals the family ate were healthy and delicious, because they were simple uses of homegrown foods. It�s to this lifestyle of his childhood that Valentin traces his passion for food.

�He wanted to focus on food and beverage management,� Valentin�s wife Nanette explains. �In Europe you have to learn all the aspects of food service in detail, and there is a tough examination to pass. After his training, he began to work in the finest restaurants, first in Switzerland, then England, and then New York.�

It was in Manhattan that Valentin was introduced to grapeseed oil � and Nanette. �A friend of Valentin�s from Europe became the manager of Jean Louis Palladin�s restaurant at the Watergate in Washington DC. Through him we got to know Jean Louis, who was a very important influence in our lives,� says Nanette.

In Jean Louis� cooking he had a secret ingredient, which was grapeseed oil. This oil intrigued Valentin, and the chef encouraged him to produce and market it. Valentin and Nanette used the circle of chefs they had gotten to know through Jean Louis for their first tasting panel.

�It takes one ton of grape seeds to make one bottle of oil, so you have to be a bit crazy to do this,� Valentin says, only partly joking. �But it�s worth it, because this is an amazingly versatile oil. Its light and nutty flavor is neutral enough to enhance the flavors of ingredients rather than overpowering them, and it leaves no greasy aftertaste.�

�Grapeseed oil is ideal for hot food preparation, because the high smoke point (485�F) means that it doesn�t smoke, splatter or burn when you saut�, fry, or bake with it. Excellent emulsification properties make it ideal for making creamy dressings that won�t separate when chilled.�

When she met Valentin, Nanette was designing store interiors and displays for retailers in New York. With this background she has played a key role in their company�s award winning packaging design.

�We�re proud to have had a part in making more chefs and home cooks aware of this healthy oil,� Nanette says. �As a mother, I want to serve healthy and delicious food to my family, and Salute Sant�! Grapeseed Oil makes everyone feel good!"