Monday, November 26, 2012

Up close with Anna Olson


Both my Quay Lo and I love to watch Anna Olson’s shows on Asian Food Channel.  Her recipes are simple and easy to follow yet yield beautiful bakes. I never thought I would see her show live! My thanks to Asian Food Channel for bringing her to Kuala Lumpur.



Anna Olson is a  professionally trained pastry chef with over fifteen years of experience in the culinary field. She has, or has had, her own cooking shows such as "Bake with Anna Olson", "Sugar" and "Fresh with Anna Olson".  All her shows have been aired on the Asian Food Channel. 

I was the first person arrived at the event because I remembered the time wrong. It was 2.30pm and not 2.00pm. 


It was a blessing in disguise because I got myself a seat in the front row very near to the demo counter. So, I could see Anna more clearly. LOL!


Before Anna's arrival at the demo room, I met her husband, Michael Olson. 


He is a big guy like my Quay Lo and he too has that million dollar smile. Michael was busy getting everything ready for Anna's demo. When Anna finally arrives, she was briefed by by him. This is truly a husband and wife team.


Finally, after a long wait, the emcee, Will Quah announced the arrival of Anna Olson and gave us an introduction. 


By sheer coincidence Will is a friend of my son's and they have performed on stage together. Will is well known in the local entertainment scene as a fluent emcee. So I was happy to say hello and grab a shot with him.

After the introduction, the demo started and the first thing Anna made was Tourtiere.

Cooking the filling for tourtiere

Rolling out the pie crust

Placing the crust into the pie tin and put in the filling

The final product
  
Each of us get to taste one of the mini tourtieres.
 I did not eat mine but brought it home for my Quay Lo to taste.

Tourtiere's (pronounced tor tee ays) are savoury pies made with spiced meat, including beef, lamb, and pork (in other venues),  especially in French Quebec Canada, where they are popular as a snack around the Christmas holidays.

Next, Anna went on to make pumpkin crème brulee tarts.






I would like to thank Lach of  Alice George Communication for the invitation to the Anna Olson baking demo, and a very BIG thank you to my friend Evelyn of Missyblurkit for passing my contact to Lach. I enjoyed the chance to see one of my inspirations up close.

I am not sure if I can share with you the recipes but once I get the green light to do so, I will. I would especially like to try making the pumpkin creme brulee for Christmas. Pumpkin is not particularly at the top of my favorites list, but in this recipe I think I could be pursuaded.

For now how about making the traditional creme brulee instead.

Please click on the picture to get the recipe




36 comments:

  1. Another "foodfull" lesson...the pumpkin crème brulee tarts looks so nice!! Wonder how they taste like... hmmmm... :)

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    1. Claire, the pumpkin creme brulee tasted delicious. It is nice for a change from the traditional creme brulee. If you ask me, I still prefer the traditional one.

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  2. Not a fan of her show...but her pies & tarts sure look good!!!!

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    1. I am sure her pies and tarts look good lah, she is a professional pastry chef:D

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  3. you are so lucky to be invited there :)

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    1. Would you like to attend this kind of demo? Will see I can get the extension of the invitation to you if there is another event from AFC.

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  4. You are so lucky to have met her in person. I'm a big fan of hers as well.

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    1. Yes, I am very glad I met her in person. I am sure she has lots of fans.

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  5. I love watching her shows too! You're so fortunate to have your picture taken with her! My my...those brulee tarts sure look good!

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    1. Fern, the creme brulee is a nice alternative to traditional one.

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  6. pumpkin creme brulee tart? wow, thats something, Quay Po
    it looks absolutely delicious!
    so lucky you could meet her! :)

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    1. Alice, it is quite a twist to the traditional brulee. Yes I am happy to be able to meet Anna in person.

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  7. Have always wanted to make Creme brûlée tarts.... Combination of my two favourite desserts! Hopefully you can share the recipe then!

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    1. I think Yen has shared the recipe in her blog. I think I would to after getting a reply from AFC. I just want to make sure I am not doing something against copyright issue.

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  8. Looks like it was a really fun event!

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  9. Such a priviledge! You must be smitten. So did your Quay Lo like the tourtiere?

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  10. I'm a big fan of her sweets baking....Such a great memory for you to meet up with her in person and so does her husband.

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    1. Yes, I am very happy to meet both husband and wife. They both are very nice and friendly.

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  11. OMG..its her in real person. I love Anna Olson. I so like it when she cooks something, she says she will go out to her garden or her plants to cut some leaves...;p

    Hope you had a great time with her.

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  12. Quay Po, ever since I took up baking I have been a fan of Anna Olson. Now I make sure I catch her show on AFC on Saturdays at 8pm. You are so lucky to have met her in person!

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    1. My dear, you are watching the right baking show. You will learn lots from her.

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  13. I love the taste of her pumpkin creme brulee. Gonna make it soon too!

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    1. Yen, it is delicious and I will make it for Christmas this year just for a change. However, I still prefer the traditional creame brulee.

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  14. I'm sure you are having a great time there. can see it from you face. =)

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    1. I love cooking and baking demos. I enjoyed myself very much.

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  15. Wow! How awesome that you get to met the chef ! The truth is I don't know who is Anna Olsan till today! Everything look so yummy ! Thanks for sharing . :)

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  16. Hi Quay Po, I tried to click on the short crust pastry where it says omit the sugar but I cannot get it. Can you please let me know how to get your recipe on the short crust pastry. Thanks alot.

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