Anna Olson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anna Olson

Anna and Michael Olson
Born	(1968-05-04) May 4, 1968 (age 57) Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Cooking style	Bakery
Education	Johnson & Wales University Queen's University
Spouse	Michael Olson
Previous restaurant(s) Olson Foods at Port, St. Catharines, Ontario (2004-2009) Olson Foods at Ravine, St. Davids, Ontario (2008-2010) Inn on the Twenty, Jordan, Ontario (1995-2002)
Television show(s) Bake with Anna Olson (2012-2015) Fresh with Anna Olson (2008-2010) Great Chocolate Showdown (2020-present) Junior Chef Showdown (2020-present) Kitchen Equipped (2005-2007) Sugar (2002-2007)
Official website
http://www.annaolson.ca/

Anna Olson (born May 4, 1968) is a famous American pastry chef. She is known for hosting many cooking shows on Food Network Canada. These include Fresh with Anna Olson, Sugar, Kitchen Equipped, and Bake with Anna Olson.

Currently, she is a judge on popular shows like Great Chocolate Showdown and Junior Chef Showdown. Both of these shows started in 2020. Anna also shares short cooking videos on her YouTube channel, Oh Yum with Anna Olson. She lives in Welland, Ontario, Canada.

About Anna Olson

Anna Tomcik Olson was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents, Donna and Andy Tomcik, moved to Toronto, Canada, where Anna grew up. Her grandparents came from Slovakia.

Anna first studied political science and sociology at Queen's University. After college, she worked at a bank in downtown Toronto. During her lunch breaks, she loved exploring St. Lawrence Market. She looked for new ingredients to use in her dinner parties.

One night, Anna couldn't sleep. She decided to bake a banana muffin. While baking, she had a "muffin epiphany." This was a moment of sudden realization. She decided right then to become a chef.

Anna then enrolled in the College of Culinary Arts. This was at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating, she traveled across the United States. Eventually, she moved to Niagara Falls.

Anna worked as a pastry chef at Inn on the Twenty for seven years. This is where she met her husband, Michael Olson, who is also a chef.

Anna Olson has written several cookbooks. Her first book, The Inn on the Twenty Cookbook, was co-written with her husband in 2000. In 2004, she published Sugar, which went along with her TV show of the same name.

In 2005, she and Michael wrote Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home. This book shares how they cook at home. It also gives tips for entertaining guests. Another cookbook, Another Cup of Sugar, came out in 2006. Anna also writes for magazines like Vines and LCBO Food and Drink.

Anna Olson also opened her own food shops. She started Olson Food at Port in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. She sold this shop in 2009. In 2008, the Olsons opened Olson Foods at Ravine. However, they stopped being involved with this location in 2010.

Anna supports the Niagara Women's Enterprise Centre. This program helps women learn skills for the hospitality industry. Anna donates her leftover food to a local YWCA women's shelter or the Out of the Cold Program.

Endorsements

Anna Olson has worked with many well-known brands. These partnerships help promote her work and the products.

Starbucks Coffee

Anna Olson has been part of many promotions for Starbucks Coffee Canada. This started in 2004. Her recipes, like "Mocha Bites," were featured on recipe cards in stores.

In 2005, Starbucks featured Anna in TV ads. These ads promoted a sweepstakes with Food Network Canada. They also introduced "Anna's Brown Sugar Pound Cake" in stores. Her "Chai Decadence Chocolate Bundt Cake" was a holiday pastry in 2005. Anna also appeared in Starbucks TV ads in 2006.

Splenda

Since late 2005, Anna Olson has appeared in TV ads for Splenda. She also shares recipes on their official Canadian website.

KitchenAid

Anna Olson has been in TV ads for KitchenAid appliances. Fleischmann and KitchenAid were sponsors of her show Bake with Anna Olson.

Pillsbury

During the 2006 Christmas season, Anna did commercials for Pillsbury Christmas cookies.

Bulk Barn

Anna Olson's "Chef's Selections" can be found in Bulk Barn flyers and on their website.

Home Hardware

Anna Olson has done TV commercials and ads for Home Hardware. She promotes kitchen products and appliances. She also has a recipe section on their website. Anna contributes to Home Hardware's free magazine, "Home at Home."

Filmography

Awards and nominations