Meet Our Chef, Mary Ann Esposito
Authenticity, History and Tradition.

Those three words define Mary Ann Esposito and the signature cooking style that has made her one of America’s most loved television chefs.

As the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series, Ciao Italia^™ with Mary Ann Esposito, Mary Ann has brought those values to millions of Americans. This year, the series celebrates its milestone 21st season, making it the longest-running cooking series in television history.

For Mary Ann, the art of Italian cooking is a way of life. As a little girl growing up in Depew, New York, she watched her two Italian grandmothers create wonderful Italian dishes. Both nonnas, one Sicilian and one Neapolitan, were Italian natives and professional cooks.

This upbringing instilled in Mary Ann a deep appreciation for Italian food and culture. But it was a pivotal trip to Italy that made her ponder hosting a television program to share her love. Thus, Ciao Italia^™ was born.

Mary Ann has worked beside world-renowned chefs like Julia Child, Todd English, Daisy Martinez, Sara Moulton, Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan, and countless others who share the same passion for cooking.

Countless organizations have recognized Mary Ann for her efforts to preserve the traditions surrounding Italian food and culture. Johnson and Wales University presented Mary Ann with their Distinguished Author Award. The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) honored Mary Ann with the 2009 Lifetime Achievement in the Culinary & Cultural Arts of Italy award. Most recently, the Italian Trade Commission further distinguished Mary Ann by naming her a 2010 Hall of Fame honoree.

Mary Ann has also written 12 cookbooks. Her most recent, Ciao Italia 
Family Classics, was released in October of 2011

Visit Chef Mary Ann’s website, Ciao Italia^™, at ciaoitalia.com. Her books are available there too!

To view Chef Mary Ann’s virtual cookbook, click here.

©2012 Mary Ann Esposito, Inc.