Sometimes life has a funny way of leading you down a path you never thought you’d find yourself on. Our Culinary Development Manager, Michelle Doll Olson, for example, had lived a handful of different lives before she found herself at HelloFresh, spearheading the creation of the company’s most delicious recipes.
HelloFresh Team Member Michelle Doll Olson
Finding A Sense of Self
As a daughter of a teacher and army colonel, and a food lover at heart, her passion for educating in the kitchen wouldn’t yet be fully formed until later in her career. In fact, after a stint in the Creative Services department at Sesame Street, Michelle ventured into the world of graphic design and corporate branding, sinking her teeth into aesthetics and visual storytelling. Ten years in, she realized something: she no longer wanted to work in marketing and advertising. She wanted to be a chef.
In 2004, Doll attended what was then known as the French Culinary Institute and did what any budding chef in the bustling streets of New York City would do: she earned her stripes in fast-paced kitchens, rubbing elbows with the industry’s emerging talents. Honing her skills, she launched a successful cake business, Michelle Doll Cakes, and began pursuing another avenue in education.
Michelle with celebrity chef Bobby Flay
From Pastry Chef to Cookbook Author
Michelle’s first teaching job was at the Kosher Culinary School, where she taught cake decorating and pastry techniques. Eventually, she moved on to the upscale kitchenware chain, Sur La Table, where she would lead crowds through two-hour long sessions centered on cooking techniques and styles, where seasoned chefs would attend with new cooks and tourists alike. She found her way back to the French Culinary Institute, now known as the International Culinary Center, where she taught in their professional pastry program. After about seven or so years instilling wisdom into new generations of young cooks, Doll made her way back to Sur La Table, this time as their Head Chef.
As she continued to teach, Michelle felt the need to help even more people learn their way around the kitchen. In 2018, she was approached by a publisher about developing a cookbook around cake decorating and baking–something she had become known for after appearing on numerous Food Network challenges and Throwdown! With Bobby Flay. However, she felt called to create one that compiled everything she had learned throughout her years as a culinary instructor. Like when to use a nonstick frying pan or what utensils to buy for your kitchen, or which items are actually a waste of money. So, Essential Tools, Tips, & Techniques for the Home Cook was born.
Michelle’s Cookbook: Essential Tools, Tips & Techniques for the Home Cook
Enter: HelloFresh
The pandemic and quarantine saw Michelle dabbling in plenty of creative avenues, from launching her “Kitchen Gods” podcast to developing recipes for the likes of Uproxx and Delish. Doll was brought into the HelloFresh family in early 2022, as the Culinary Development Manager which, in cooking terms, is basically the Head Chef. Along with her team of six developers (each of which have their own gastronomic superpowers), she helps bring each recipe to life in true HelloFresh fashion.
Since her time at HelloFresh, Doll has really pushed for each of her developers to amplify their own unique voices out into the world. Whether by telling their diverse stories on social media, or sharing flavorful recipes with HelloFresh customers on weekly recipe cards, cooking is a collaborative effort. She works hands-on with each of the departments–from product management, to design–to ensure that HelloFresh’s cuisine is not only fresh and accessible, but well-rounded and thoughtful above all else. With her background in education, she wants to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in the kitchen, and experiences the same joy she does when sharing a meal with the people she loves.
Check out Michelle’s delicious recipes at HelloFresh here.
