As always I am eager to hear your thoughts on these soups so post your comments. The Mediterranean Spinach and Feta and the Tomato Bisque will only be available until March 12, 2012, so HURRY IN!! Click here for a voucher to enjoy these new soups.

Stay Tuned for the next Executive Chef Video Blog.

Yours in the Bread,

Chef Quinn

We chose top participants on our Facebook fan page, most avid Twitter followers and #OlgasTwivia contest winners and our blog subscribers to join Executive Chef Quinn Adkins and other Olgaholics for an evening of exciting, exclusive taste testing discussion and reflection on fond Olga’s Kitchen memories.
These chosen few were dubbed official “Olga’s Kitchen Brand Ambassadors” and had the opportunity to try these 5 new Olga sandwiches.

• Alsatian Pork Olga
• Argentinean Steak Olga
• Sicilian Vegetarian
• Montana Prime Rib
• Montego Bay Slow Pork

These brand ambassadors tapped into their most astute taste buds, brought in their Olgaholic sentiment and gave opinions on which Olgas they liked best and which ones other Olga’s fanatics would love too!!

We took those opinions along with comments from our social media followers and here are the four we will be testing at our Laurel Park Place Olga’s Kitchen starting January 17, 2012.

Brazillian Steak

Caribbean Slow Pork

Rochester Prime Rib

Tacoma Pulled Pork

Be sure to post your comments here and stop into our Laurel Park Place Olga’s Kitchen to tell us which you like the best and you could see your new favorite Olga on the menu very soon!!

Hey there all you Olga’s Kitchen fanatics the Holiday Shopping Season is upon us!! Why not give AND receive this holiday season?! Who doesn’t like a little extra bonus for their good deeds ; ) During this holiday season, when you purchase $100 in Olga’s Kitchen Gift Cards you receive $30 FREE. Or for every $25 you spend you receive $5 for yourself!! 

Give AND Receive!!!

Spread a little joy this year and give your loved ones a gift you know they will use and enjoy. Just ask your server at any Olga’s Kitchen or Market Fresh Grille location near you. Or you can even order your Olga’s Kitchen Gift Cards online too!!

Bring in this flyer Nov. 21st!!!

military soldiers and their families please present the Operation Homefront fundraising flyer, to ANY of our 36 Olga’s Kitchen or Olga’s Market Fresh Grille locations on November 21, 2011 and Olga’s Kitchen will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Operation Homefront of Michigan and other local chapters.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the efforts Operation Homefront provides and as community leaders we are excited to have such a tremendous opportunity to serve our U.S. soldiers and their families just as they all continue to serve us every day,” says Matt Carpenter, President and CEO, Olga’s Kitchen, Inc.

Having a brother recently retired after almost 23 years serving in the U.S. Airforce, two nephews currently enlisted in the U.S. Airforce and her only child, Army Spc. Patrick Ryan Taylor, 23, currently on his third tour overseas, Colleen McHenry the Assistant Manager at our Olga’s Kitchen in Oakland Mall, has been working closely with Kimberly McKenzie, Director of Development, Operation Homefront of Michigan, in a joint effort to let everyone know how they can help out our U.S. soldiers and their families.

Support Operation Homefront

The Olga’s Kitchen “Raise More Gain More” fundraising program has donated over $83,000 since inception in 2009 to local community organizations, schools, churches, and charitable organizations, just like Operation Homefront.

Click here for more information about the Olga’s Kitchen “Raise More Gain More” fundraising program or call your local Olga’s Kitchen to schedule your fundraiser today!!

Winter Warmers

One of the key hallmarks of the cold and flurry season is hot cocoa. Well, we have taken that snowy symbol and made it special just for you!! So when you stop into any Olga’s Kitchen this holiday season, be sure to order one of our three different Winter Warmers.  Try the Coconut Macaroon, made with toasted coconuts and luscious vanilla, Buttered Toffee, mixed with English toffee bits, or our Hazelnut Crème Caramel, made with hazelnut and salted caramel syrup. mmmhmmmm YAHTZEE!!!

Sweet Temptations

We also have our Seasonal Sensations for just $2.99!! Enjoy some of our Cinnamon Sugar Snackers served with a cream cheese frosting or our Olga Bread Pudding made from our secret-recipe Olga bread baked in a rich custard cream with a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar, topped with a creamy vanilla sauce. We offer different flavors, so be sure to ask your Olga’s Kitchen server about today’s featured flavor!!

Well, as promised I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek at some of my thoughts for some delicious new soups to be offered THIS winter season!!  I am early on in the decision process so tell me which of these mouth-watering soups you would most like to see on our menu this winter.

• Olga’s Rotisserie Chicken & Dumplings
• Mediterranean Spinach & Feta
• Baja Chicken Enchilada
• New Mexican Roasted Corn Chowder
• Sicilian Roasted Tomato & Garlic
• Tuscan Roasted Vegetable with Meatballs
• New England Roasted Corn & Potato Chowder
• Rotisserie Tuscan Chicken
• Creamy Italian Chicken & Tortellini
• Rustic Steak & Ale Chowder
• Roasted Butternut & Apple Chowder

Leave a comment letting me know which of these sounds the tastiest and I just might invite you to the Olga’s Test Kitchen for an exclusive Taste Test with me!!

Hard work from the St. Michael’s Catholic Church parish, a little guidance from the Olga’s Kitchen fundraising team, an extra little push from a fundraising bonus of a 25% donation and $652.27 was donated by Olga’s Kitchen to help fund the Honey Do Ministries!! “The combined efforts resulted in the highest contribution from our “Raise More Gain More” fundraising program since inception in 2009 and I am proud it will be to an organization that is putting our Michigan families back to work,” says Matt Carpenter, President and CEO, Olga’s Kitchen, Inc.

So, our “Raise More Gain More” fundraising program is completely different from most other fundraising programs out there. Which is GREAT NEWS!! Olga’s Kitchen has uniquely designed it to increase contribution from us based upon the organizations efforts, include a bonus incentive program AND it does not cap the donation amount at any time.

So what other organizations participate in our fundraising program you ask… Well, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, Susan G. Komen, Alzheimer’s Association, animal shelters, local schools, churches and community organizations all take advantage of our fundraising program because it is unique in that we provide additional leveraging tools and the most important part is the building of strong relationships with each organization to aid in the success of each fundraiser,” says Carpenter.

Click here for more information about the Olga’s Kitchen “Raise More Gain More” fundraising program or call your local Olga’s Kitchen to schedule your fundraiser today!

Have you had the opportunity to experience The Calypso Salad yet…?! I am VERY eager to hear your thoughts of this Caribbean inspired salad, so post some comments for me and remember these and the other two Olga’s Kitchen Summer Salads are only available until September 5, 2011. So HURRY IN!! Click here for a voucher to enjoy these summer favorites.

Stay tuned for the next Executive Chef Blog post.

Yours in the bread,

Chef Quinn

Have you tried the Memphis Pit Angus Steakburger yet…? I am curious to hear what you think, so post some comments for me and remember these Olga’s Kitchen Summer Angus Steakburgers are only available until September 5, 2011. So HURRY IN!! Click here for a voucher to enjoy these summer favorites.

Stay tuned for the next Executive Chef Blog post as I feature the Calypso Salad.

Yours in the bread,

Chef Quinn

As this Olga’s Kitchen in Canton is brand new, I wanted to give everyone an idea of what to expect. As you walk in it has a bright and airy feel to it and the décor is more elegant. It also has an updated floor plan that includes a cool new community table, which provides a more interactive setting for you and all of your friends, family or coworkers. YAAAHTZEE!!

Our secret-recipe oven fired Olga Bread takes center stage as it is made in our open kitchen allowing each and every one of our guests to watch the creation of this mouthwatering Olga’s Kitchen favorite. The new menu has more modern items and bold ethnic flavors. But don’t fret Olga’s fans…our new Canton menu will still include your Olga’s favorites, but now with MORE!! Some of these new menu options even include some better-for-you options. “Our new menu items, made with the freshest ingredients, were developed as we listened to our guest’s suggestions and are a reflection of our philosophy of providing our guests with what they want,” says Matt Carpenter, President and CEO, Olga’s Kitchen. Take a look at some of these all new items unique ONLY to Olga’s Kitchen in Canton.

Small Plates for ONLY $2.99

• Three Cheese Polenta – Creamy polenta cake with Asiago, Romano and Parmesan cheeses, lightly griddled and served with our tomato bruschetta relish and balsamic syrup.

• Mediterranean Olives and Peppers – Mediterranean olives served with tangy roasted red peppers and feta cheese.

Premium Olga Sandwiches

• Carolina BBQ – Fork-tender smoked pork with tangy golden Carolina BBQ sauce, topped with melted Cheddar, pickle slices and crispy fried onion straws.

• Sonoma Smoked Turkey – Smoked turkey breast, tomatoes, radish sprouts, leaf lettuce and fresh avocado, served with tangy rosemary-infused mayonnaise.

• Thai Steak – Tender steak tossed in a tangy Thai-inspired glaze, crunchy iceberg leaves with a cool and crisp cucumber mango slaw

Hand-Tossed Salads

• California Coast – Crisp chopped seasonal greens, fresh blueberries,
pomegranate seeds, Mission figs and a blueberry dressing,
topped with crispy vegetable straws.

 • Mediterranean Spinach – Freshly grilled chicken breast, fresh flat-leaf spinach, cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, feta, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini and crispy vegetable straws, tossed in our signature Olga dressing.

• Caribbean Calypso – Crisp chopped seasonal greens with jerk-crusted freshly grilled chicken breast, pineapple-jicama slaw, toasted coconut and Caribbean-mango dressing.

Desserts for ONLY $2.99

• Brownie with Vanilla Gelato - A warm, decadent brownie topped with a layer of molten chocolate ganache served with hand-dipped vanilla bean gelato and raspberry coulis.

• Crème Fresh Fruit Parfait - Light and creamy vanilla-infused yogurt with layers of fresh seasonal berries topped with crushed vanilla wafers.

• Cheesecake Strudel - Rich New York-style cheesecake wrapped in crispy, buttery phyllo dough served warm with a garnish of seasonal fresh berries.

Why not choose a full-bodied brew or an elegant wine to go along with your favorite Olga? Olga’s Kitchen in Canton is the first location to offer wine and beer selections and will showcase smaller vineyards that offer more unique harvests and complement the Olga’s Kitchen food items. A select variety of domestic and imported beers will be available with special local micro-brew options too!

The restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm and on Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Canton Olga’s Kitchen offers convenient carside delivery. Orders to the Olga’s Kitchen on Ford Road can be placed online or by calling the restaurant at 734-983-9200.