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{{Short description|American-Canadian chef (born 1968)}}

[[Image:Anna Olson 1.jpg|thumb|Anna Olson]]'''Anna Olson''' is a professionally trained pastry chef. Olson currently resides in the Niagra Falls region of Ontario. She is the host of [[Food Network Canada|Food Network Canada's]] "[[Sugar (TV Show)|Sugar]]" and "[[Kitchen Equipped]]"

{{distinguish|Anette Olzon}}

{{Infobox chef

| name = Anna Olson

| image = Anna & Michael Olson (15863715231).jpg

| caption = Anna and Michael Olson

| birth_date = {{birth_date and age|1968|05|04|mf=y}}

| birth_place = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| dead =

| spouse = Michael Olson

| style = Bakery

| education = [[Johnson & Wales University]]<br> [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]]

| ratings =

| restaurants =

| prevrests = Olson Foods at Port, [[St. Catharines]], [[Ontario]] (2004-2009)<br>Olson Foods at Ravine, [[St. Davids, Ontario]] (2008-2010)<br>Inn on the Twenty, [[Jordan, Ontario]] (1995-2002)

| television = ''[[Bake with Anna Olson]]'' (2012-2015)<br> ''Fresh with Anna Olson'' (2008-2010)<br> ''[[Great Chocolate Showdown]]'' (2020-present)<br/> ''Junior Chef Showdown'' (2020-present)<br/> ''[[Kitchen Equipped]]'' (2005-2007)<br>''[[Sugar (Canadian TV series)|Sugar]]'' (2002-2007)

| awards =

| website = http://www.annaolson.ca/

}}

'''Anna Olson''' (born May 4, 1968) is an American [[pastry chef]]. She was previously the host of Food Network Canada's '' Fresh with Anna Olson'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foodtv.ca/BLOG/archive/2007/09/14/on-set-of-fresh-with-anna-olson.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520092550/http://www.foodtv.ca/BLOG/archive/2007/09/14/on-set-of-fresh-with-anna-olson.aspx|archive-date=May 20, 2011|title=Food Network Canada Blog - On Set of Fresh with Anna Olson|date=September 14, 2007|publisher=[[Food Network (Canada)|Food Network]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Sugar (Canadian TV series)|Sugar]]'' and ''[[Kitchen Equipped]]'' and ''[[Bake with Anna Olson]]''. She is currently a judge on both ''[[Great Chocolate Showdown]]'' and ''Junior Chef Showdown'', both of which premiered in 2020. She hosts short videos on her YouTube channel ''Oh Yum with Anna Olson''. She resides in [[Welland]] in the [[Regional Municipality of Niagara|Niagara]] region of [[Ontario]], Canada.

==Biography==

Prior to joining Food Network Canada, Olson was a pastry chef at [[Inn on the Twenty]] in [[Jordan, Ontario]] for seven years. Working in a winery type restaurant appealed to Olson. The fact the Inn on the Twenty used local and seasonal ingredients also appealed to Olson. While at Inn on the Twenty, Anna soon met her future husband Michael Olson.

== Biography ==

While not originally from Canada, Anna was born in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. Her parents imigrated to [[Canada]], more specifically [[Toronto, Ontario]] where Anna would grow up. Although cooking was not her first choice she soon realized it was her passion, because like many chefs, Anna found out about this passion like most chefs. Before cooking came along, Anna earned her degree in [[Political Studies]] and [[Sociology]] from [[Queen’s University]] in [[Kingston, Ontario]]. While discovering her passion for cooking, Anna worked for a time in a bank in downtown Toronto. It was during her lunch breaks that she would wander the [[St. Lawrence Market]] searching for different ingredients and inspiration for her next dinner party. That was when she knew cooking was her true calling.

Anna Tomcik Olson was born in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Her parents, Donna and Andy Tomcik,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Folks for Dinner |series=Fresh with Anna Olson |series-link=Fresh with Anna Olson |credits=Anna Olson |network=Food Network Canada |airdate=September 1, 2010 |season=1 |number=16 |minutes=19}}</ref> immigrated to [[Toronto]] where she grew up. Olson's paternal grandparents came from Slovakia.<ref>{{cite web| title = Anna Olson bio | publisher = LifeStyle Food | url = http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/chefs/chef.asp?id=148 | access-date = September 15, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080806062641/http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/chefs/chef.asp?id=148| archive-date= August 6, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Olson earned a degree in [[political science]] and [[sociology]] from [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] in [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Anna Olson to be Published by Appetite by Random House |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/news/511/anna-olson-be-published-appetite-random-house |publisher=Penguin Random House Canada |date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> She also worked for a time in a bank in [[downtown Toronto]]. During her lunch breaks, Olson wandered the [[St. Lawrence Market]] searching for different ingredients and inspiration for her next [[Party#Dinner party|dinner party]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Anna Olson shares circular journey to baking stardom |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca//life/food-wine/2019/03/04/anna-olson-shares-circular-journey-to-baking-stardom.html |work=St. Catharines Standard |date=March 4, 2019}}</ref> Olson recalls that she was baking a banana muffin one night after being unable to sleep when she had a "muffin epiphany" and decided to pursue a culinary career.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lipson |first1=Alanna |title=Q&A With Celebrity Pastry Chef Anna Olson |url=https://www.canadianliving.com/food/food-tips/article/q-a-with-celebrity-pastry-chef-anna-olson |publisher=Canadian Living |date=May 11, 2017}}</ref> Olson then enrolled in the College of Culinary Arts at [[Johnson & Wales University]] in [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inspired with Anna Olson: Host Bio |url=https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/inspired-with-anna-olson/bios/ |publisher=Food Network Canada}}</ref> Upon her graduation from the university, Olson travelled across the [[United States]]. She would eventually find her way to [[Niagara Falls]]. Olson was a pastry chef at [[Inn on the Twenty]] in [[Jordan, Ontario]] for seven years, where she met her husband, chef Michael Olson.<ref>{{cite web| title= About Anna| publisher= AnnaOlson.ca| url= http://www.annaolson.ca/page/about_anna| access-date= September 15, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080921000436/http://www.annaolson.ca/page/about_anna| archive-date= September 21, 2008| url-status= dead}}</ref>

Anna Olson then enrolled in the cullinary program at at [[Johnson & Wales University]] in [[Vail, Colorado]]. She never second guessed this choice. Upon her graduation for the cullinary institute, Olson set out and travelled across the [[United States]] in various states and cities such as [[Texas]] and [[New Orleans]]. She would eventually find her way to [[Niagra Falls]].

Aside from working in television, Olson's has also explored print media.writings include ''The Inn on the Twenty Cookbook'' was, co-authored by her husband Michael and published in [[2000]]. AnnaOlson also published a cookbook called ''Sugar'' in [[2004]]. It was a companion to her popular TV show by the same name which can be foundaired on [[Flavour Network|Food Network Canada]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Olson |first1=Anna |title=Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts |date=2004 |publisher=Whitecap Books |isbn=978-1-5528-5509-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSyGGAAACAAJ |chapter=About the Author}}</ref> Olson co-authored another book with her husband which was released in [[October]] [[2005]]. The book is called ''Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion''. This is a menu -driven book which highlights how AnnaOlson and her husband cook at home. It also includes tips and tricks for entertaining and weeknight dining.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Olson is|first1=Anna writing|last2=Olson |first2=Michael |title=Anna and Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion |date=2005 |publisher=Whitecap Books |isbn=978-1-5528-5702-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MjBVAAAACAAJ |chapter=Backcover}}</ref> In late 2006, another bookcookbook with recipes derived from "''[[Sugar (Canadian TV series)|Sugar]]"'', called ''Another Cup of Sugar'' slatedwas for release in late [[2006]]released. Olson Whilealso Anna is not in front of the camera or writing a book, she can be found freelance writingwrites for many different publications such as ''[[Vines (magazine)|Vines]]'' and ''[[LCBO Food and Drink]]''.

Anna Olson opened Olson Food at Port in [[Port Dalhousie]], a historic lakeside community in [[St. Catharines]], [[Ontario]]. She sold the Port Dalhousie shop in April 2009, to their long-time friend and pastry chef Andrea Poirier and her sister Leesa Leshkewich.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niagaragreenbelt.com/index.php/site-map/431-olson-foods-at-ravine.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207061534/http://www.niagaragreenbelt.com/index.php/site-map/431-olson-foods-at-ravine.html|archive-date=February 7, 2016|title=Olson Foods at Ravine|publisher=Niagara Greenbelt|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While away from the camera and the stroke of a pen, she can be seen at Olson Food and Bakery in [[Port Dalhousie]]. Port Dalhousie is a historic lakeside community in [[St. Catharines, Ontario]]. Olson Food and Bakery opened its door in [[August]] [[2004]]. The shop has an open kitchen right on site and sells many different items such as fresh baked goods which are made fresh every day, artisanal cheeses and gourmet pantry items.

In July 2008, the Olsons opened their second ___location, Olson Foods at Ravine, in partnership with Ravine Vineyards in [[St. David's, Ontario]]. In February 2010 it was announced that they were no longer involved with the ___location at The Ravine Winery and the partnership was ended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/684599#5371505|title=NOTL for Valentine's Weekend - the Ultimate Dead End?|date=January 31, 2010|publisher=Chowhound|access-date=March 24, 2010|archive-date=October 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004194227/http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/684599#5371505|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Olson also participates in various fundraisers in and around her region, but Anna supports a local program called the [[Niagara Women’s Enterprise Centre]]. The centre basically provides training in the hospitality sector to women who might not have that opportunity, plus her end-of-the-day product is graciously given to a local [[YWCA]] women's shelter or [[Out of the Cold Program]].

Olson supports a local program called the Niagara Women's Enterprise Centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anna Olson spreads some sugar for kid services centre |url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3301151-anna-olson-spreads-some-sugar-for-youth-services-centre/ |work=Niagara This Week |date=May 18, 2006}}</ref> The centre provides training in the hospitality sector to women who might not have that opportunity, with her end-of-the-day product given to a local [[YWCA]] [[women's shelter]] or Out of the Cold Program.

==TV appearances==

*'''[[Sugar (TV Show)|Sugar]]''' - Host

*'''[[Kitchen Equipped]]''' - Co-Host (2005 - present)

==BooksEndorsements==

*'''Inn on the Twenty Cookbook''' ''co-wrote with Michael Olson'' (July 2003 Whitecap Publishing, ISBN: 155285518X)

===Starbucks Coffee===

*'''Sugar''' - (April 2004 Whitecap Publishing, ISBN: 1552855090)

Olson has been featured for the past few years in various promotions for [[Starbucks Coffee]] Canada. This started in the winter of 2004, when her ''Mocha Bites'' recipe was featured on a recipe card available in Starbucks retail stores.

*'''Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion''' ''co-wrote with Michael Olson'' - (October 2005 Whitecap Publishing, ISBN: 1552857026)

*'''Another Cup of Sugar''' - (October 2006 Whitecap Publishing, ISBN: 155285809X)

In the spring of 2005, Starbucks Coffee featured Olson in television advertisements aired nationally to promote their sweepstakes that was held in-conjunction with [[Flavour Network|Food Network Canada]] and to introduce ''Anna's Brown Sugar Pound Cake'' being sold in retail stores. This also included in-store advertising of her cake with special pastry toppers and take-home recipe cards.

In winter 2005, her ''Chai Decadence Chocolate Bundt Cake'' was one of the featured holiday pastries sold in stores (once again promoted with in-store recipe cards). Olson was also featured in the Christmas television advertisement for Starbucks Coffee Canada.

In the spring of 2006, Olson appeared in television advertisements promoting Starbucks Coffee's annual Brewing Sale 2006.

===Splenda===

Starting in late 2005, Olson has appeared in television advertisements for [[Splenda]] and has provided recipes on their official Canadian website.

===KitchenAid===

Olson has appeared in television advertisements for [[KitchenAid]] appliances. [[Fleischmann's Yeast|Fleischmann]] and KitchenAid were official sponsors of ''Bake with Anna Olson'' beginning in season two.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fatah |first1=Sonya |title=Olson bakes with Fleischmann and KitchenAid |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2015/08/11/olson-bakes-with-fleischmann-and-kitchenaid/ |website=mediaincanada.com |date=August 11, 2015}}</ref>

===Pillsbury===

Olson did commercials for Pillsbury Christmas cookies during the 2006 Christmas season.

===Bulk Barn===

Olson's "Chef's Selections" appears in [[Bulk Barn]]'s flyers and website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/page/main_whatshappening.html?p%3Dwhatshappening_annaolson |title=www.bulkbarn.ca |access-date=January 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228131027/http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/page/main_whatshappening.html?p=whatshappening_annaolson |archive-date=December 28, 2010 }}</ref>

===Home Hardware===

Olson has done television commercials and flyer ads for [[Home Hardware]], advertising kitchen products and appliances. She also has a recipe section on the Home Hardware website and contributes to Home Hardware's free quarterly magazine "Home at Home".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Rebecca |title=Anna Olson Dishes Expert Advice for Home Hardware |url=http://marketingmag.ca/brands/anna-olson-dishes-expert-advice-for-home-hardware-134702/ |website=marketingmag.ca |date=January 13, 2015}}</ref>

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"

! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Television

|- align="center"

! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Year

! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Show

! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Role

! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Notes

|-

| 2002-2007

| ''[[Sugar (Canadian TV series)|Sugar]]''

| Host

|

|-

| 2005-2007

| ''[[Kitchen Equipped]]''

| Co-host

|

|-

| 2008-2010

| ''Fresh with Anna Olson''

| Host

|

|-

| 2008

| ''Twas the Night Before Dinner Christmas Special''

| Herself

| [[Christmas]] special with [[Bob Blumer]], [[Anthony Sedlak]], [[Laura Calder]], and [[Ricardo Larrivée]]

|-

| 2009-unknown

| ''Live It Everyday''

| Co-host of the cooking club

|

|-

| 2012–2015

| ''[[Bake with Anna Olson]]''

| Host

|

|-

| 2016

| ''Inspired With Anna Olson''

| Host

|

|-

| 2018

| ''[[Iron Chef Canada]]''

| Herself/Iron Chef

| Holiday baking edition

|-

| 2019

| ''Sweet Something''

| Host

| Short online series

|-

| rowspan=2|2020–present

| ''[[Great Chocolate Showdown]]''

| rowspan=2|Co-Host and judge

| One of the three co-hosts/judges, including Steven Hodge and Cynthia Stroud

|-

| ''Junior Chef Showdown''

| One of the three co-hosts/judges

|}

==Awards and nominations==

{| class="infobox" style="width:22em; text-align:left; font-size:90%; vertical-align:middle; background:#eef;"

|+ <span style="font-size: 9pt">'''Anna Olson awards and nominations'''</span>

|- style="background:white;"

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |

|-

| colspan="3" |

{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"

! colspan="3" style="background:#d9e8ff; text-align:center;"| Awards and nominations

|- style="background:#d9e8ff; text-align:center;"

!style="vertical-align: middle;"| Award

| style="background:#cec; font-size:8pt; width:60px;"| Wins

| style="background:#ecc; font-size:8pt; width:60px;"| Nominations

|- style="background:#d9e8ff;"

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Totals'''

|-

|align=center|

;[[Canadian Screen Awards]]

|{{won|0}}

|{{nom|1}}

|-

|align=center|

;Grand Remi Awards - Worldfest Houston

|{{won|1}}

|{{nom|1}}

|-

|align=center|

;Taste Canada Awards

|{{won|2}}

|{{nom|2}}

|}

|- style="background-color#d9e8ff"

| {{won|Wins}}

| {{won|3}}

|-

| {{nom|Nominations}}

| {{nom|4}}

|}

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! style="text-align:center;"|Year

! style="text-align:center;"|Nominated work

! style="text-align:center;"|Award

! style="text-align:center;"|Category

! style="text-align:center;"|Result

! style="text-align:center;"|Ref

|-

|2009

|''Fresh with Anna Olson''

|Grand Remi Award - Worldfest Houston

|Best Lifestyle Programming

|{{won}}

|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leaderpost.com/life/anna-olson-wins-prestigious-award|title=Anna Olson wins prestigious award|last=Seiberling|first=Irene|date=May 6, 2010|publisher=[[Regina Leader-Post]]|access-date=May 22, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

|-

|[[5th Canadian Screen Awards|2017]]

|''[[Bake with Anna Olson]]''

|[[Canadian Screen Awards]]

|Host in a lifestyle, talk or entertainment news program or series

|{{nom}}

|-

|2017

|''Bake with Anna Olson: More than 125 Simple, Scrumptious and Sensational Recipes to Make You a Better Baker''

|Taste Canada Awards

|Single-Subject Cookbooks - English Language - Silver

|{{won}}

|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tastecanada.org/winners/2017-awards/|title=2017 Taste Canada Awards|date=10 April 2018 |publisher=Taste Canada|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodnetwork.ca/food-network-insider/photos/taste-canada-cookbook-awards/#!bake-with-anna-olson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920111259/https://www.foodnetwork.ca/food-network-insider/photos/taste-canada-cookbook-awards/#!bake-with-anna-olson|title=Best New Cookbooks Named at Taste Canada Awards|date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2020|author=Food Network Canada|publisher=[[Food Network (Canada)|Food Network]]|url-status=live|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref>

|-

|2019

|''Set for the Holidays with Anna Olson''

|Taste Canada Awards

|General Cookbooks - English Language - Silver

|{{won}}

|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tastecanada.org/2019-taste-canada-award-winners/|title=2019 Taste Canada Award Winners|date=26 October 2019 |publisher=Taste Canada|accessdate=June 3, 2021}}</ref>

|}

==Bibliography==

*''Inn on the Twenty Cookbook'' ''co-written with Michael Olson'' (July 2003 Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|1-55285-518-X}})

*''Sugar'' - (April 2004 Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|1-55285-509-0}})

*''Anna & Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion'' ''co-wrote with Michael Olson'' - (October 2005 Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|1-55285-702-6}})

*''Another Cup of Sugar'' - (October 2006 Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|1-55285-809-X}})

*''In The Kitchen With Anna: New Ways with the Classics'' - (September 2008, Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|1-55285-946-0}})

*''Fresh with Anna Olson'' - (September 2009, Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|978-1-55285-995-7}})

*''Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share, Enjoy'' - (December 2011, Whitecap Publishing, {{ISBN|978-1-77050-063-1}})

*''Bake with Anna Olson: More than 125 Simple, Scrumptious and Sensational Recipes to Make You a Better Baker'' - (September 13, 2016; Appetite by Random House, {{ISBN|978-0-14-753021-9}})

*''Set for the Holidays with Anna Olson'' - (October 2018, Appetite by Random House, {{ISBN|978-0-14-753081-3}})

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.annaolson.ca Official Site]

*{{imdb name|id=1974281|name=Anna Olson}}

*{{IMDb name|id=1974281|name=Anna Olson}}

*[http://www.olsonfoodsandbakery.com/ OlsonFoodsandBakery.com- Olson Food and Bakery official webiste]

*[http://www.olsonfoodsandbakery.com/ Olson Food and Bakery official website]

*[http://www.foodtv.ca/ontv/hostdetails.aspx?hostid=35047 Anna Olson Official Host Profile on Foodtv.ca - Food Network Canada website]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060604025247/http://www.hgtv.ca/microsites/kitchenequipped2/hosts_o.aspx Anna OlsoOlson Host Profile for Kitchenhgtv.ca Equipped- showHGTV pageCanada on hgtv.cawebsite]

*[http://www.chefdb.com/nm/1109/ Anna Olson] at the Chef and Restaurant Database

*{{Twitter|chefannaolson}}

*{{YouTube|channel=UCr_RedQch0OK-fSKy80C3iQ|title=Oh Yum with Anna Olson}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian chefs|Olson, Anna]]}}

[[Category:Canadian1968 TV chefs|Olson, Annabirths]]

[[Category:Living people|Olson, Anna]]

[[Category:American21st-century immigrantsCanadian towomen Canada|Olson, Annawriters]]

[[Category:Chefs|Olson,American Annabakers]]

[[Category:ImmigrantsAmerican tocookbook Canada|Olson, Annawriters]]

[[Category:American Canadians|Olson,emigrants Annato Canada]]

[[Category:American expatriates in Canada]]

[[Category:American people of Slovak descent]]

[[Category:American women chefs]]

[[Category:American women food writers]]

[[Category:Canadian bakers]]

[[Category:Canadian cookbook writers]]

[[Category:Canadian people of Slovak descent]]

[[Category:Canadian restaurateurs]]

[[Category:Canadian television chefs]]

[[Category:Canadian television hosts]]

[[Category:Canadian women chefs]]

[[Category:Canadian women food writers]]

[[Category:Chefs from Georgia (U.S. state)]]

[[Category:Chefs from Toronto]]

[[Category:Johnson & Wales University alumni]]

[[Category:Pastry chefs]]

[[Category:People from Atlanta]]

[[Category:People from Welland]]

[[Category:Queen's University at Kingston alumni]]

[[Category:Writers from Atlanta]]

[[Category:Writers from Toronto]]