Top Chef Canada's Andrea Nicholson creates a one-of-a-kind Timbits birthday cake

Chef Andrea Nicholson, of Top Chef Canada, with the Tim Hortons Timbits cake she created to celebrate the Timbits' 35th birthday. Nearly four feet tall, the cake contains more than 1,500 Timbits and features a replica of the Timbits box and Timbits enjoying summer activities.

OAKVILLE, ON - June 15, 2011 - Canada's favourite bite-sized treat, the Tim Hortons Timbit, turns 35 this summer.  To celebrate this milestone, Tim Hortons has enlisted rising culinary star and Top Chef Canada contestant, Chef Andrea Nicholson, to create a special Timbits birthday cake. Standing almost four feet tall, the cake was constructed using more than 1,500 Timbits and features a replica of a Timbits box, as well as Timbit characters enjoying summer activities as featured on Timbits summer packaging.

"I designed the cake to be a true Timbit celebration," said Nicholson. "I really wanted the Timbits on the top of the box to look like fireworks exploding. Timbits are an iconic Canadian snack and every Canadian knows and loves them.  Having the opportunity to create the 35th birthday cake was an absolute blast!"

There are currently more than 35 varieties of Timbits and this month Tim Hortons introduced the first two new flavours in more than five years: Banana Glazed and Blueberry Glazed. 

A lot has changed since 1976 but the Timbit has been a constant favourite with Canadians. In fact, if laid end to end, the number of Timbits Canadians have consumed since 1976 would stretch to the moon and back almost five times. In the last five years alone, Tim Hortons sold enough Timbits that if stacked on top of each other, they would be 80,000 times taller than the CN Tower.

Over the past three decades, Timbits have become more than just a snack; for many Canadians, they are part of special memories. 

"Whether they're part of a post soccer game celebration, or a 'coffee run' treat for everyone at the office, or a summer road trip snack, Timbits have always been the go-to snack that's fresh, bite-sized and road ready," said Donna Finelli, Director of Brand Marketing for food at Tim Hortons. "I think Canadians love Timbits because everyone has a favourite flavour and they're so easy to share."

For more than 20 years, Timbits have also been synonymous with minor sports programs across Canada.  Millions of kids ages four through eight, have benefitted from a Tim Hortons Timbits sponsorship while playing a variety of sports such as soccer, hockey, lacrosse and baseball.  Currently, Tim Hortons sponsors more than 200,000 children who proudly wear a Timbits Minor Sports jersey or t-shirt.

Tim Hortons Inc. Overview

Tim Hortons is the fourth largest publicly-traded quick service restaurant chain in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, flavoured cappuccinos, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts. As of April 3rd, 2011, Tim Hortons had 3,782 system-wide restaurants, including 3,169 in Canada and 613 in the United States.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Alexandra Cygal, Tim Hortons, 905-339-5960, cygal_alexandra@timhortons.com
Sara O'Reilly, MSL Canada, 416-847-1334, sara.oreilly@mslgroup.com