Host/Creator, PBS' Ciao Italia with 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 best-known and most loved television chefs.

Broadcast nationally and internationally, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™ is television’s longest-running cooking show. For 19 years Mary Ann has been as renowned for her knowledge of authentic Italian cuisine as her warm, encouraging approach to cooking.

Growing up in Depew, New York, Mary Ann was steeped in the artistry of Italian cooking.  Both nonnas, one Sicilian and one Neapolitan, were Italian natives and professional cooks, so life inside the Saporito household was decidedly Italian, no matter what was going on outside their front door in Western New York.

A pivotal trip to Italy made her realize that what she was learning in cooking classes abroad she innately knew from her all-Italian, all-the-time upbringing. She pondered the “what if’s” of hosting a cable program that would teach the cooking lessons she learned as a child. The result was Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™.  And today, 19 years later, Mary Ann has been recognized by countless organizations for her efforts to preserve the traditions surrounding Italian food and culture, and has become the doyenne of PBS.

Mary Ann’s television experience spans beyond PBS: she has appeared on the TODAY show, Regis and Kelly, QVC, the Food Network, RAI International (Italian television), The Victory Garden, Simply Ming.  She has been a guest on Sirius Radio’s Morning Living on the Martha Stewart channel; and she has appeared beside chefs Todd English, Daisy Martinez, Sara Moulton, Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan, and countless others.

In academia, Mary Ann has studied and taught in numerous cooking schools throughout Italy. She received Johnson and Wales University’s Distinguished Author Award and she is a regular contributor to Boston University’s School of Lifelong Learning program, as well as a Board Member of Cordon Blu, Atlantic Culinary Academy, and a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier. In 2006 she was granted an honorary doctorate from St. Anselm College for her dedication to teaching and preserving authentic Italian cuisine.

In addition to producing Ciao Italia and making nationwide appearances, Mary Ann has written 10 cookbooks.  Ciao Italia Slow and Easy (St. Martin’s Press) -- hit bookstores in Nov 2007 and is consistently among Amazon.com’s top rated Italian cookbooks.

Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™, its companion Web site www.ciaoitalia.com, and each of Mary Ann’s books, reflect her interests and experiences; they are infused with personal anecdotes, historical background, patient instruction and a great deal of charm. From a high school classroom to an international stage, she never stops teaching.

Media inquiries should be directed to Mark Nevins mark(at)doverstrategygroup.com.

If you are interested in booking Mary Ann at your upcoming event or if you're interested in sponsoring Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™ please contact Chris Esposito chris(at)doverstrategygroup.com.
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  Related Pages

Mary Ann Esposito Charitable Foundation | Ciao Italia, Italian Cooking on PBS

The Ciao Italia Blog

When you love food as much as Mary Ann does, you love everything about the experience.  Visit the Ciao Italia blog for tips, links, and even some exclusive recipes you'll only find on the blog!

Ciao Italia Blog

  Personal Appearances

Mary Ann is constantly making appearances at cooking shows, demonstrations, conferences, book signings, and festivals.

One of the things she loves most about traveling around the country is meeting Friends of Ciao Italia from so many different cities and towns.

Be sure to check back here often to keep track of Mary Ann's appearances and see if she'll be in a town near you!

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival
Newport, RI
September 28, 2008
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Mary Ann will highlight recipes for fall and winter from her books, Ciao Italia Slow and Easy and Ciao Italia Pronto!  Here is your chance to get in on the action, meet Mary Ann, get a book signed, sample classic fish stew, a delightful mixed vegetable casserole, and an apple pastry tart so easy to make it is almost too good to be true!  Click here for more information about Mary Ann's appearance at the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival.


Exclusive Dinner with Mary Ann

Patsy's Restaurant

New York, NY
October 1, 2008
6:30 pm

THIS EVENT IS ALMOST SOLD OUT!  Make a pledge to WLIW, the PBS station on Long Island, NY, and you can join Mary Ann and a limited number of guests for an intimate dinner at Patsy's Restaurant in New York City.  Click here to learn more about how you can join Mary Ann for dinner at Patsy's.


Stonewall Cooking School

York, ME
October 9, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 pm

The Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School has been a dream of Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the creators of Stonewall Kitchen, for years. Sharing their passion with others has been a fundamental part of the company's culture and history and one of Jim and Jonathan's missions.  Click here to learn more about the Stonewall Cooking School and how you can sign up to join Mary Ann on October 9 for one of the school's evening classes.

  Media Appearances

PBS's Mary Ann Esposito is all about tradition (Valley Breeze)

The Valley Breeze talks to Mary Ann about her new kitchen and her upcoming 19th season.  Read the article here.

Five Questions with Mary Ann Esposito (Herald News)

The Fall River (MA) Herald News caught up with Mary Ann to ask five questions about summer cooking.  They even put the video up on YouTube.  Check out the video on the Ciao Italia Blog.