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 on May 4, 1968, is a famous American pastry chef. She used to host popular cooking shows on Food Network Canada, like Fresh with Anna Olson, Sugar, Kitchen Equipped, and Bake with Anna Olson. Since 2020, she has been a judge on exciting shows such as Great Chocolate Showdown and Junior Chef Showdown. You can also find her making short videos on her YouTube channel, Oh Yum with Anna Olson. Anna Olson lives in Welland, in the Niagara area of Ontario, Canada.

Anna Olson's Journey to Becoming a Chef

Anna Tomcik Olson was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents, Donna and Andy Tomcik, later moved to Toronto, Canada, where Anna grew up. Her grandparents on her father's side came from Slovakia.

Anna studied political science and sociology at Queen's University in Kingston. After college, she worked at a bank in downtown Toronto. During her lunch breaks, Anna loved exploring the St. Lawrence Market. She would look for new ingredients and ideas for her next dinner party.

One night, Anna couldn't sleep and decided to bake some banana muffins. She remembers having a "muffin epiphany" that night. This moment made her realize she wanted to become a chef. So, Anna enrolled in the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

After graduating, Anna traveled across the United States. She eventually found her way to Niagara Falls. For seven years, Anna worked as a pastry chef at the Inn on the Twenty in Jordan, Ontario. It was there that she met her husband, Michael Olson, who is also a chef.

Anna Olson's Cookbooks and Writings

Anna Olson has written several cookbooks. Her first book, The Inn on the Twenty Cookbook, was co-written with her husband and came out in 2000. In 2004, she published a cookbook called Sugar. This book went along with her TV show of the same name on Food Network Canada.

Anna and Michael Olson wrote another book together, released in October 2005. It was called Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion. This book shows how the Olsons cook at home. It also gives helpful tips for hosting parties and making weeknight meals.

In late 2006, another cookbook called Another Cup of Sugar was released. This book had recipes from her TV show Sugar. Anna also writes for magazines like Vines and LCBO Food and Drink.

Anna Olson's Restaurants

Anna Olson opened a restaurant called Olson Food at Port in Port Dalhousie. This is a historic community by a lake in St. Catharines, Ontario. In April 2009, she sold this shop to her long-time friend and pastry chef, Andrea Poirier, and her sister, Leesa Leshkewich.

In July 2008, the Olsons opened their second location, Olson Foods at Ravine. They partnered with Ravine Vineyards in St. David's, Ontario. However, in February 2010, they announced they were no longer involved with this location. The partnership had ended.

Community Support

Anna Olson supports a local program called the Niagara Women's Enterprise Centre. This center helps women who might not have many chances to get training in the hospitality field. Anna gives the food she makes at the end of the day to a local YWCA women's shelter or the Out of the Cold Program.

Anna Olson's Partnerships and Endorsements

Anna Olson has partnered with several well-known companies. She has been featured in many promotions for these brands.

Starbucks Coffee Canada

Anna Olson has worked with Starbucks Coffee Canada for several years. This began in the winter of 2004. Her "Mocha Bites" recipe was printed on a recipe card available in Starbucks stores.

In the spring of 2005, Starbucks Coffee showed Anna Olson in TV ads across Canada. These ads promoted a contest with Food Network Canada. They also introduced "Anna's Brown Sugar Pound Cake," which was sold in stores. There were also in-store ads for her cake with special pastry toppers and recipe cards.

In winter 2005, her "Chai Decadence Chocolate Bundt Cake" was a special holiday pastry sold in stores. Anna was also in the Christmas TV ad for Starbucks Coffee Canada. In the spring of 2006, she appeared in TV ads for Starbucks Coffee's yearly Brewing Sale.

Splenda

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

KitchenAid

Anna Olson has been in TV ads for KitchenAid appliances. Fleischmann and KitchenAid were official sponsors of Bake with Anna Olson starting from its second season.

Pillsbury

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

Bulk Barn

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

Home Hardware

Anna Olson has appeared in TV commercials and flyer ads for Home Hardware. She advertises kitchen products and appliances. She also has a recipe section on the Home Hardware website. She writes for Home Hardware's free magazine, "Home at Home."

Anna Olson's TV Shows

Awards and Nominations