Anna Olson

Anna Olson has become one of the country’s most recognizable television chefs as well as a celebrated keynote speaker & best-selling author with her positive and common-sense approach in the kitchen. Anna Olson may be Canada’s baking sweetheart, but she’s also an accomplished savoury chef.

Appearing on Food Network Canada for two decades, with shows like “Bake with Anna Olson” and now series such as “Great Chocolate Showdown”, her audience has expanded globally through broadcast television. Anna’s Oh Yum YouTube channel, which now boasts over 1.5 million subscribers, features her classic content, livestreams, and fresh series. Her substantial social media audience is engaged and interested in her cooking, baking, and travel adventures.

An expert in writing recipes with a practical approach, her trusted work has appeared in magazines and best-selling cookbooks (12 to date), including translations into Spanish. Her most recent book, Baking Wisdom, earned a Gold Medal at the Taste Canada Cookbook Awards and was shortlisted by the IACP, and Anna Cooks hit the bestseller list at its launch this September. +

Balancing her various content production projects with her insatiable curiosity and drive to learn makes her a unique entrepreneurial force and a mentor to those starting out in any field, especially women. Anna’s entry into baking was a second career choice after a short spell in investment banking. She attended Johnson & Wales Culinary University in the United States and worked in Colorado, Texas, and New Orleans before settling in Niagara. She worked as a pastry chef at the award-winning Inn on the Twenty in Jordan, Ontario. Also, she owned and operated two bakeries in the Niagara region for almost a decade, and managed a namesake line of bakeware.

Anna’s commitment to sharing her love of cooking and baking with others has new meaning as a grandmother, and she is thrilled at the prospect of spending time in the kitchen with the next generation of smart home cooks and bakers. --

LIVE or VIRTUAL:

Anna Olson's Speaking Presentations:

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 personality warms a crowd. Be sure to leave time for Q&A - Anna likes to answer questions on stage and off.

Anna Olson is also pleased to customize any of her presentations to suit the group to whom she is speaking, and will happily consider break-out sessions, small  session demos and other activities in addition to those listed below. Anna can also offer signed cookbooks for guests, either by pre-order or on-site sales.

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.

Such topics may include:

ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

"In Good Taste" – a look at Anna's culinary & entrepreneurial journey, her initial inspirations, mentors as well as tales of cookbook writing and food television. From inspiration, planning, funding, branding, motivation and mentorship, she can address each area candidly. This is the most popular topic choice, as it suits a wide demographic.

BRANDING:

"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.

ALSO:

"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. --

Customized Presentations +

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

Celebrity Appearances

VIRTUAL:

Virtual Baking/Cooking Class with Anna Olson

Celebrity Chef Anna Olson can join your guests in their own kitchen…virtually! +

Whether live or pre-recorded, Anna’s home kitchen is set up perfectly for a baking or cooking session while your guests can watch, cook along and ask questions of Anna. Anna’s comfort with the camera means she knows how to connect and engage through the lens, and is technically set up to deliver a quality audio-visual presentation. For double impact, you can also have her husband and noted chef, Michael Olson, join in to cook with Anna. Their banter and chemistry keeps things moving, and makes for a delightfully warm and intimate engagement. --

Anna Olson is represented by K&M Productions. To inquire about Anna Olson's speaking schedule, & booking Anna Olson as your conference speaker, contact us.