Meet Annelise Gerome

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Annelise Gerome. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Annelise below.

Annelise , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Title: The Journey of Resilience: A Legacy of Health, Family, and Olive Oil

Introduction
It all started in 2011 when my father, a dedicated cardiologist, and I, then working in radiology, enrolled in the Culinary Medicine program at Tulane Medical School. We were both passionate about heart health and intrigued by how food could impact it. Little did I know, this was the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would change my life.

The Birth of Quail and Olive
After completing our certificates, my father, driven by his love for health, decided to open the first California Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Vinegar tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. We learned about the true meaning of “extra virgin olive oil” (EVOO) and its many health benefits, something that most store-bought oils couldn’t deliver. We worked alongside the California Olive Oil Council and became champions of what was real, pure, and good for the heart.

In September of 2012, we opened the doors of Quail and Olive. It was a magical time. My daughters and I all contributed to preparing for the grand opening. The community loved the store, and I ran a food blog for my father while living in Washington State. Food has always been life, and we were living it in full color.

My Father’s Legacy
In 2014, I moved to California to be closer to the business and continue my work in radiology. Everything was thriving—until 2017 when my father was diagnosed with cancer. It was a shock. My dad had always been a fighter, he was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. In 1955, at the age of 5, he became the first successful patient to receive open heart surgery. I believe this is what led him to becoming a cardiologist. Now, hearing the word “cancer” was almost too much to bear. But it was at this moment that I knew I had to step in and help with the store.

The Beginning of My Journey
Though I had no formal business training—my degree was in Biology and Pre-Med—I began to take over the reins of Quail and Olive. I had to learn quickly: marketing, HR, inventory, QuickBooks, and so much more. I remember feeling overwhelmed at times but also determined to honor my father’s vision. In February 2018, my father passed away, and I was left with the responsibility of carrying on the legacy he had worked so hard to build.

Learning and Growing
The transition from daughter and mother to business owner wasn’t easy. There were moments of failure, and lessons were learned the hard way. I had to become the businesswoman I never thought I could be, navigating challenges like employee turnover, financial setbacks, and the pandemic in 2020. But through it all, the store remained strong because of the community support and the unwavering love I had for what we had built.

The Resilience of Family
Now, years later, I look at the store and see my life in stages—young to old, a story of growth, loss, and rebirth. I’ve remarried and gained two stepsons who are part of this journey too. Together, we continue to honor my father’s legacy while building our own. Life is good. Resilience is rooted in my soul, and Quail and Olive has been the proving ground for that.

Closing Reflection
Through it all, one thing my father always said sticks with me:
“Eat Well, Live Well, and Enjoy Your Life.”
That philosophy is the heart of Quail and Olive, and it will continue to guide us as we move forward—celebrating health, family, and the true benefits of extra virgin olive oil.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Welcome to The Quail and Olive
Hi, I’m Annelise, the proud owner of The Quail and Olive. Our story began in September 2012, when my late father, Dr. Stephen Brabeck, a dedicated cardiologist here on the Monterey Peninsula, opened our doors. He was a passionate believer in the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and wanted to share the incredible quality of California-grown EVOO with the community. His vision was to create a specialty store offering the freshest, highest-quality extra virgin olive oils, and we’ve been proud to carry that vision forward.

Over the years, we’ve expanded our offerings to include a wide variety of specialty food products, locally sourced vinegars, kitchen essentials, cookbooks, gifts, skincare, and much more. Each item is carefully selected, and I take great pride in working directly with California producers, ensuring that we support small farms and family-owned businesses.

At The Quail and Olive, we believe in bringing you the best of what California has to offer. Whether you’re discovering a new favorite olive oil, picking out a unique gift, or exploring our selection of fine vinegars, we’re here to help you create delicious meals, snacks, and memorable moments. We also offer items perfect for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of all kinds.

Come visit us today! Join our Covey Club, taste our exceptional oils and vinegars, and find something special to take home. We look forward to sharing the very best of California with you.

You can find us online ( we ship throughout the USA priority mail ) https:www.quailandolive.com
You can also follow us on instagram @thequailandolive
Or Facebook @quailandolive

We are located in Carmel Valley Village where it is always sunny!
14 Del Fino
Carmel Valley Village, CA 93923
831-659-4288

We look forward to hearing from you!

Annelise

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three Key Qualities That Have Shaped My Journey

Looking back on my journey with The Quail and Olive, I’ve learned that three key qualities have been essential to my growth and success:

Commitment & Perseverance
The ability to stay committed to my vision, no matter the obstacles, has been fundamental. There were times when things seemed tough, and the road ahead wasn’t clear. But I kept my sights set on what I wanted to achieve and pushed forward. Never giving up, even when the going got rough, is what allowed me to carry my father’s legacy and make The Quail and Olive what it is today.
The Strength in Asking for Help
We don’t know everything, and that’s okay. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not being afraid to ask for help. It’s a strength, not a weakness, to seek guidance when needed. Whether it was learning the ins and outs of running a business, asking for advice from experts, or turning to my community, getting help when I needed it has been crucial to my growth. No one has to do it all alone.
Active Participation & Putting in the Work
Success doesn’t come from sitting on the sidelines. If you want something to thrive, you have to put in the effort and be fully involved in the process. There were many late nights, early mornings, and long hours spent at the store, but every moment has been meaningful. I’ve learned that being an active participant in my journey, and not just an observer, has made all the difference in building something truly special. And along the way, I’ve learned to stand my ground and not let anyone take advantage of me, even when I was new to the business.
These three qualities—commitment, asking for help, and active participation—have helped me navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and continue to drive the success of The Quail and Olive.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Let’s Collaborate and Grow Together!

At The Quail and Olive, we believe that collaboration is the key to success. Our journey has shown us that when we work with others, we not only enrich our own experiences but also create something meaningful for our community. We have some amazing products here that we’re incredibly proud of, and we’re always looking for ways to partner with others who share our passion for quality, creativity, and making a positive impact.

We’re open to collaborating on all sorts of exciting ideas:

Classes and Workshops: Whether it’s cooking demonstrations, olive oil tasting events, or hands-on workshops, we’d love to work with chefs, culinary experts, and local influencers to host engaging classes that showcase our products in new and exciting ways.
Product Collaborations: If you’re a local producer, artisan, or maker, let’s create something unique together. From limited-edition flavors to exclusive gift sets, the possibilities are endless when we combine our strengths.
Recipes and Events: If you’re a chef, food blogger, or home cook with a creative vision, let’s work together to develop recipes that highlight the versatility of our California extra virgin olive oils, vinegars, and other specialty products.
Community Engagement: By joining forces, we can offer fun, enticing events and experiences that draw people in, build connections, and inspire others to discover what makes our community and our products so special.
Collaboration makes everything more fun, more dynamic, and more impactful. If you’re interested in working together to create something exciting, whether it’s an event, product, or project, I’m all in. Let’s share ideas, inspire each other, and grow together.

The possibilities are endless when we work side by side. I can’t wait to see what we can create!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quailandolive.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/92532097/the-quail-and-olive/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuailandOlive
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-quail-and-olive-carmel-valley-village

Image Credits

Annelise Gerome photo credits. I have permission to submit my own photos