Carol O'Neal Kicinski[1] is a gluten-free advocate, TV chef, magazine founder and editor-in-chief, gluten-free recipe developer, cookbook author, and food writer.[2] She is the founder of Simply Gluten Free Omnimedia, Inc. Kicinski is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Simply Gluten Free magazine.[3] She presents monthly episodes as a gluten-free TV chef on Daytime, a nationally syndicated morning television show produced by NBC-based WFLA-Tampa Bay. She has been gluten-free for more than 20 years. In 2018, Kicinski launched a gluten-free mineral makeup line, Beauté Minerals.
Kicinski has been charged by federal prosecutors for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.[4] On June 27, 2023, she was sentenced to 20 days of incarceration and one year of probation; she was also imposed a $525 fine.[5] On January 20, 2025, after beginning his second term in office, President Trump issued pardons to roughly 1500 individuals charged with crimes connected to January 6th, including Kicinski.[1]
Career
Magazine editor-in-chief
In November 2012, Kicinski launched Simply Gluten Free magazine,[6] a national lifestyle magazine for gluten and allergen-free living. The magazine is written by gluten- and allergen-free writers as well as medical doctors and professionals. The magazine is published by Edgewater Park Media, Inc., a media company based in Dunedin, Florida, owned by Simply Gluten Free Omnimedia. The magazine is distributed in the US and Canada by Ingram Content Group.[7]
In December 2013, Simply Gluten Free magazine received the "Hottest Launches of the Year" award by Media Industry News,[8] an industry source on consumer and business-to-business magazine business.
In 2015, the magazine began producing special collector's editions focused on specific topics, like baking and holiday favorites.[9]
Television
In 2009, Kicinski started doing television cooking segments on the NBC-based WFLA-Tampa Bay's Daytime TV show. The show is nationally syndicated to 140 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Tampa,[10] reaching 80 million households monthly.
Writings
Kicinski has written cookbooks including Simply Gluten Free Desserts (2011),[11]Simply Gluten Free Quick Meals (2012),[12]Simply Gluten Free Cupcakes (2013) and Simply Gluten Free 5 Ingredient Cookbook (2016).[13]
She has also written ten eBooks. She has contributed recipes to The Cooking Light Gluten-Free Cookbook. Kicinski was a monthly recipe contributor to Martha Stewart's Whole Living from 2011 to 2013.[citation needed]
Blog
The website and blog, Simply Gluten Free, was Kicinski's first platform for sharing gluten-free recipes, starting in 2007.[14] The purpose of the website is to educate, entertain and inspire those with celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten and other food allergens to live a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families.
In 2010, Kicinski started the Gluten-free Global Community, putting more than 340 gluten-free bloggers worldwide in communication with each other. In 2012, she started the Celiac Support Groups Community with more than 280 groups represented worldwide.[citation needed]
Recipes
Kicinski began developing gluten-free recipes for herself and her family more than 20 years ago when she learned she was gluten sensitive. She now does recipe development for gluten-free companies.[15] Kicinski also developed Carol's Gluten Free All Purpose Flour.
Advocacy
Kicinski attends conventions, expos, events and celiac group meetings to speak about gluten-free living. She was an educational speaker at the Southeast Natural Products Expo in December 2012.[16] She is a presenter at gluten-free and allergen-free events.[17]
Participation in the 2021 United States Capitol attack
Kicinski has been charged by federal prosecutors for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, while wearing a blue "TRUMP" hat.[4] On October 27, 2022, Kicinski pled guilty to the charge of "Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds".[18] On June 27, 2023, Judge Reggie B. Walton sentenced Kicinski to 20 days of incarceration and one year of probation; Walton also imposed a $525 fine on her.[5]
On January 20, 2025, after beginning his second term in office, President Trump issued pardons to Kicinski and roughly 1,500 other individuals charged with crimes connected to January 6th.[19]
^"Simply Gluten Free Quick Meals". Macmillan Publishers: Thomas Dunne Books. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013. - Emily Thompson, "Simply...Gluten-Free Quick Meals: More Than 100 Great Tasting Recipes for Good Food Fast", Library Journal, January 3, 2012, vol. 137 issue 4, p114-114.
^Kicinski, Carol (June 21, 2016). Simply Gluten Free 5 Ingredient Cookbook. Media Lab Books. ISBN978-1942556046.
