Anna Olson

Culinary Master and Host of the Food Network's Fresh with Anna Olson

Celebrity chef Anna Olson is best known as the host of two cooking programs, Sugar and Fresh with Anna Olson, which air in Canada as well as in 40 countries worldwide. Olson studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and while trained in the world of savory cooking, she is equally recognized for her abilities in the pastry kitchen. Olson's culinary philosophy is based on a common-sense approach to cooking and baking, respecting the ingredients and the technique, and enjoying sharing with others through food.

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Anna Olson moved to Niagara in 1995, eager for change from her role as a chef in the fast paced restaurant life of New Orleans. Canada was calling her home.

In Canada, Olson met her husband and business partner, Michael Olson, at Inn on the Twenty, considered Ontario's premier winery restaurant. Oslon embraced the bounties of the local growers, changing menus seasonally and using only the freshest ingredients possible in the role of pastry chef.

Olson's family is of Eastern European heritage and baking and cooking has always been at the heart of every family gathering. It is within these family occasions, respecting tradition, that Olson first gained a love and appreciation for both baking and cooking.

Using food as her creative medium, Anna starts with ingredients that "sound good" or "delicious", then works her way back, creating the components within the recipe body to get to the end result. Recipe development is one of her great accomplishments, with seven successful cookbook publications to her name.

3. Celebrity Appearances

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1. A Culinary Adventure Close to Home

Celebrity Chef Anna Olson will share with you her culinary journey, sharing her personal story as she found herself through cooking for others. Tales of people and places that inspired her are peppered with humorous anecdotes of challenges with the ultimate result of Anna finding her way back to where she started, appreciating and valuing what is in her own backyard. Anna has a full inventory of recipe tips to provide, geared towards a common sense approach to shopping locally and cooking with the seasons. The practical advice, recipes, and friendly conversation will have you feeling like you just spent some time with a good friend.
2. PRESENTATIONS by ANNA OLSON

Anna Olson is pleased to customize any of her presentations to suit the group to whom she is speaking, and can happily consider break-out sessions, small session demos and other activities in addition to those listed below.

Anna has a AV support materials to make for rich presentations and also can offer signed cookbooks for guests, either by pre-order or on-site sales.

KEYNOTE SPEAKING

Anna likes to entertain and enlighten as she speaks to groups from 25 to over 400 guests. Her presentation, while organized and thematic, is very conversational, and Anna's approachable warms a crowd. Be sure to leave time for Q&A - Anna likes to answer questions on stage and off.

Such topics may include:

"In Good Taste" – a look at Anna's culinary journey, her initial inspirations, mentors as well as tales of cookbook writing and food television. This is the most popular topic choice, as it suits a wide demographic.

"A Tasty Brand" – Anna addresses the contemporary need to not just "have" a brand, but to "be" a brand, in any field. Since everyone enjoys eating, guests from any background can relate and connect with Anna's culinary analogies.

"A Balanced Plate" – Like most, Anna juggles a busy and varied schedule. She shares her insights for cooking and eating well during these busy times. She draws on endearing stories and real-life examples to make her point.

"Eat Fresh, Eat Local" – Anna speaks on the topic of local and seasonal cooking, drawing on the resources of her home region of Niagara. No matter where you live, there are innovative ways to support the local food movement in a reasonable, accessible and affordable way.

COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

Anna is happy to perform cooking demonstrations where facilities permit and are available. Anna can create custom presentation to appeal the guests in attendance, and enjoys showcasing dishes that use ingredients of the season, and locally sourced when possible. She engages her group with fragrant smells, can facilitate sampling and often gets guests on stage with her cooking.

Anna has worked with catering operations to integrate the dishes she demonstrates into part of the event's meals, and can provide written copies of the recipes for the host's reproduction.

EMCEE/HOST SERVICES

Anna can well represent herself and your organization as host of your next gala, awards dinner or charitable event. She has hosted numerous events from casual to black tie, can keep an event on schedule, and also drum up enthusiastic bidding for live auctions.

Engaging, entertaining, and educational best describe the presentation by Chef Anna Olson to our Franchisees. Anna is an excellent communicator and made the connection with the audience by speaking about her passion for food preparation with confidence and ease. Her genuinely warm presentation style was well received and encouraged the audience to actively participate in Q & A session.

Bulk Barn

October 2011
Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy
In this latest book from bestselling author and celebrity chef Anna Olson, the mystery of baking is revealed with 215 all-new recipes. Whether looking to bake a fundamental recipe like a basic shortbread cookie or brownie; or delving into a classic torte or an imaginative holiday dessert, Anna provides a reliable framework for all of your baking, with guaranteed success. With section on baking troubleshooting or tips on accurate measuring, Anna helps novice bakers bypass any kitchen disaster and move right on to produce perfect baked goods every time.Back to Baking is about enjoying the process of baking itself, (making those extras that can have a place in a balanced diet), in modest portions. Making something from scratch gives you control. You know what you're making, what's going into the dish, and how it's being prepared. Because these delights are homemade, the recipes can suit those with food intolerances and allergies. With entire chapters on dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and low-fat/low-sugar baking, this book has recipes for everyone you love.
September 2009
Fresh with Anna Olson: Seasonally Inspired Recipes to Share with Family and Friends
For Anna Olson, eating is about community and in her hit Food Network show "Fresh with Anna Olson", she regularly creates mouth-watering meals that begin with inspiration drawn from local food producers and end when she shares the meal with family and friends. In Fresh with Anna Olson: Seasonally Inspired Recipes to Share with Family and Friends, Anna brings this food philosophy to your home with recipes from her show, unlocking the secrets to cooking simple and delicious dishes from fresh, seasonal and locally grown ingredients.
September 2008
In the Kitchen with Anna: New Ways with the Classics
In the Kitchen with Anna reveals the many tricks of the trade that this popular chef has gathered over her long career in cooking. She enhances the recipes with background information, chats about new flavor combinations, introduces special techniques, and shares her personal kitchen experiences.
August 2005
Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion
ore than a collection of inspired recipes, this book is a useful, down-to-earth guide that relates food to the everyday details of life. With over 200 recipes divided into sections such as people, necessity, adventures, and occasions, Anna and Michael Olson Cook at Home examines food for all of life's events, routine and special, from an intimate dinner for four to a party of 60, and from a child's birthday party to dinner with the boss.
April 2004
Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
Divided into sections based on key ingredients, such as Fruit, Chocolate, Nuts and Citrus, Anna's recipes progress naturally from one dish to the next. She first includes an easy recipe and then follows it up with a "switch-up" -- a more elaborate recipe to dress it up or transform it into a whole new dessert. For example, Chocolate Orange Pudding turns into Chocolate Orange Cream Pie with the addition of a cookie crust and creamy topping. Throughout Sugar, Anna provides countless tips such as the best way to unmold a cake and how to prevent nuts from becoming a paste in the food processor. She also explains how following basic rules of baking leads to greater success. Sugar's accessible, creative recipes and helpful hints will assist every home cook to create innovative desserts.

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Anna Olson

Culinary Master and Host of the Food Network's Fresh with Anna Olson

3. Celebrity Appearances

1. A Culinary Adventure Close to Home

2. PRESENTATIONS by ANNA OLSON

Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy

Fresh with Anna Olson: Seasonally Inspired Recipes to Share with Family and Friends

In the Kitchen with Anna: New Ways with the Classics