I’ve been a fan of Anna Olson since 2002 when I saw her effortlessly whip up a decadent treat on the Food Network Canada show, Sugar.  I loved the simplicity of the program.  It was just Anna, the set, and ingredients ready to be transformed into something yummy.

Anna’s gentle approach to baking made me feel like I could recreate the sweet treats too.  She was educational without being too chef-y. This proved to me that baking didn’t have to be stressful or complicated.

That’s when I fell in love with Anna.

I watched everything that she hosted – Bake with Anna Olson, Fresh With Anna Olson, and I also watched Great Chocolate Showdown where she was one of the experts judging competitors compete for the win.

On January 29^th, 2024 I lived every foodie’s dream. I had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Olson – someone I consider to be Canada’s Martha Stewart (fun fact, Anna was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia).

Like Martha, Anna’s known for being an expert baker who has subsequently created an empire. She’s written several successful cookbooks, launched a culinary tour, and shares her love for baking on her YouTube Channel – #ohyum.

So you can see why I was super excited (and nervous) to speak with her.

What’s Anna Really Like?

Anna is lovely! She’s modest, friendly, and incredible giving. It was 28 minutes of pure bliss discussing food, where to eat, and what we like to bake.   

I especially loved her story on how she became a host on Food Network Canada.  Keep reading to find out!

Q & A

What sparked your interest in baking?

My grandmother was definitely my leading influence because it was how she communicated her love and affection for family.  You could feel the energy in the kitchen when she started baking, and you wanted to be a part of that. It was the only place that you’d find her. You wanted to be a part of her world.

How did your love of baking lead you to television?

When the Food Network first started in Canada, they had to have a certain amount of Canadian generated content. At first, the Food Network was acquiring shows from Britain and the US, and that’s in the time when instructional shows were the leading format. They knew they wanted a baking show, so they put out an open call across Canada to audition pastry chefs for this role. They put it on the internet in 2002. Guess how many people applied…….. No one! 

The channel was new and no one was using the internet like today. So they had to hire a head hunting company and I was approached along with other pastry chefs across the country. I had already written a cookbook with my husband (Anna’s husband is also a chef), so I had a bit of media experience.

I didn’t want to do it, but then I was, “you don’t know unless you try.” I had the audition and I thought I blew it.  I had a cold and I was really distracted and stuffed up. That was probably my saving grace, because it allowed me not to overthink it and get too nervous. And that’s how it started.

*Anna got a call, and was offered the show!

Do you prefer baking savoury or sweet dishes?

While I prefer baking sweets, I prefer eating savoury. I don’t actually have the biggest sweet tooth. I love the action of baking and I tend to pick what I want to bake not based on what I want to eat, but what I’m in the mood to be doing with my hands. But when it comes to eating, if you gave me the choice to give up desserts or give up cheese and bread – I would give up desserts!

What is it like being a judge on the Great Chocolate showdown?

Judging a cooking show was a big decision. I was asked to be a judge on previous shows, but they were always geared to professionals.  My whole career up to now has been about encouraging and empowering them to bake, so I’m not going to cut someone down by judging them harshly. What I liked about Great Chocolate Showdown is that it was home cooks and it was about encouragement. It was very important to me that there was a lesson.

If you weren’t baking, what would you be doing?

I love sewing clothes. I would be a…… fashion designer, maybe? Even though my life is all about food, writing is one of my favourite things to do. I’d like to write a really great murder mystery.

To find out more about Anna Olson, please click onto the following links:

IG: @chefannaolson

URL: www.annaolson.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/chefannaolson/

YouTube: click here