About
Hey There! I’m Olivia Thomson
CEO & Founder | Kitchen Visionary | Soup Advocate | Age 38
Seattle, Washington-based culinary leader who believes soup is the ultimate bridge between nutrition, comfort, and family connection.
My Story
I grew up in a chaotic household where my single mom worked two jobs and dinner was often whatever we could microwave. But every Sunday, no matter how exhausted she was, Mom made soup. That one pot feeding us through the week taught me that soup isn’t just food—it’s love, it’s planning, it’s survival.
After managing restaurant kitchens for 12 years and watching talented chefs create beautiful soups that home cooks could never replicate, I felt this growing frustration. Why was comfort food so inaccessible? Why did “simple” recipes require ingredients most people had never heard of?
The Turning Point
Three years ago, my best friend—a busy working mom—confessed she was feeding her kids frozen dinners every night because “real cooking felt impossible.” When I offered to teach her soup-making, she looked at me like I’d suggested brain surgery.
That moment broke something open in me. If intelligent, capable people felt intimidated by soup—literally the most forgiving cooking method on earth—something was deeply broken in food media. I quit my restaurant job the next week and started Soup Cozy from my tiny apartment kitchen.
What I Learned the Hard Way
My first mistake was thinking people wanted perfection. I’d post these elaborate recipes with 15 ingredients and precise techniques, and nobody made them. Zero comments, minimal shares.
Then I posted my “emergency pantry soup” using canned beans, frozen vegetables, and boxed broth. That recipe got 500 shares in one week and 47 comments from grateful people saying “I actually made this!” I had to completely unlearn restaurant standards and embrace home kitchen reality.
My Approach Now
Every business decision at Soup Cozy passes through one filter: Does this actually help busy people feed their families well? I reject sponsorships from brands we don’t genuinely use. I refuse to publish recipes requiring specialty equipment. And I insist our team responds personally to every reader question.
We test recipes in regular home kitchens, photograph every step, and calculate actual costs. Because accessibility isn’t just about simple recipes—it’s about respecting people’s time, budgets, and skill levels.
What I Believe
Soup democratizes nutrition: Anyone can make healthy food in one pot
Simple executed well beats complicated done poorly: Always
Community accountability matters: We owe readers honesty and excellence
Cultural appreciation over appropriation: Honor traditions while adapting practically
Business can be both profitable and purposeful: We prove it daily
How I Can Help You
At soupcozy.com/, I’ve built a platform serving 500,000+ home cooks monthly with tested recipes, cooking courses, and a supportive community. My “Soup Mastery” course teaches fundamental techniques making any recipe approachable. My weekly newsletter shares meal planning strategies and seasonal soup ideas.
I also consult with food brands developing accessible products and speak at conferences about building authentic food communities online.
A Little More About Me
Outside the kitchen, I’m likely hiking Pacific Northwest trails with my partner and our golden retriever, Sage. I’m obsessed with vintage Dutch ovens (my collection numbers 23), competitive about board games, and deeply committed to supporting local farmers markets.
My guilty pleasure? Reading one-star recipe reviews. They’re hilarious and often more educational than five-star reviews about what confuses home cooks.
Let’s Connect
I love hearing from readers and fellow food entrepreneurs! Share your soup journey, ask business questions, or just tell me what you’re cooking this week. I personally read every message.
Get In Touch
Visit www.soupcozy.com | Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @oliviasoupcozy
