Niagara Food Festival Adds Culinary Stars as Honorary Chairs

WELLAND- Culinary power couple Michael and Anna Olson have been named as the first-ever Honorary Chairs of the Niagara Food Festival, the Festival board announced today.

This new honour recognizes the vital role the Olsons have played in the ongoing growth and success of the Festival – through promotion, personal appearances, operational experience and advice.

"The Niagara Food Festival is thrilled to confirm that Anna and Michael will act as our first-ever Honorary Chairs," said Niagara Food Festival Chair, Peter Allen. "They represent the ideal ambassadors for our event, combining a passion for the concept with the ideal amount of culinary expertise. They share our vision of providing festival goers with an experience that is unparalleled at Niagara-based Festivals."

Anna Olson is an accomplished chef and host of the Food Network's Fresh with Anna Olson and Sugar, which air in Canada and in 40 countries world wide. She is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University, and has authored six cook books, including Sugar, Another Cup of Sugar, Fresh with Anna Olson and In the Kitchen with Anna, as well as The Inn on the Twenty Cook Book and Michael and Anna Olson Cook at Home, which were written with her husband Michael.

Michael Olson is a Chef-Professor at the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College, where he also manages the acclaimed teaching restaurant, Benchmark. A celebrated Chef and pioneer of Niagara Cuisine, Michael was the opening chef of Inn on the Twenty in Jordan, and was consulting chef at 17 Noir in Niagara Falls. As longtime residents of Niagara, the Olsons are active in the community and in the local culinary scene.

"Niagara is a top culinary destination, and we're thrilled to continue our association with the Niagara Food Festival - a premier showcase for all that Niagara's food producers and restaurateurs have to offer," said Michael. "The Niagara Food Festival is a highlight of festival season in Niagara," added Anna. "We're looking forward to being a part of the Peninsula's Tastiest Party."

Known as "The Peninsula's Tastiest Party," the Niagara Food Festival features a mouth watering assortment of tastes from a diverse group of vendors. Local growers and producers are showcased in the Experience Niagara Market, live musical performers entertain all weekend long and cooking demonstrations highlight the Mobile Culinary Theatre. This year's Festival will be held in Historic Downtown Welland from Friday September 30th to Sunday October 2nd, 2011. Full festival details, including the vendor and entertainment lineups will be revealed at the festival launch Sept. 8. Watch for further details online at www.niagarafoodfestival.com, or follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter.

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For information, contact:

Peter Allen, Niagara Food Festival Chair, 905 732-4433, pallen@giantfm.com
Michael Wales, Niagara Food Festival Board, 905 735-2211 ext. 7773, mwales@niagaracollege.ca