Mary Ann Esposito

Professionally, Mary Ann has studied and taught in numerous cooking schools throughout Italy. In addition to producing 18 seasons of Ciao Italia, she has authored ten cookbooks on Italian food. Mary Ann’s tenth book, ‘Ciao Italia … Slow and Easy’ will be available in bookstores in October 2007 and it will feature a whole collection of easy-to-cook recipes that anyone can make.  They’re great for family dinners and the perfect alternative to fast food.

Mary Ann did not always love to cook, as anyone who has read the introduction to her first cookbook Ciao Italia, can tell you. Mary Ann grew up in an Italian home where she learned about traditional Italian food and its preparation while she helped in the kitchen. However, like many young people, Mary Ann considered cooking a chore and did not appreciate the importance of food as a means of bringing families and friends together.

After graduating from college, Mary Ann taught high school for several years. She moved into the world of cooking, Italian food in particular, after making her first trip to Italy many years ago. This trip inspired Mary Ann to start her own catering business. Since then she has studied in Italy. Mary Ann now travels to Italy at least twice a year to learn more and to teach in cooking schools in different regions of Italy.

Outside of her television series Ciao Italiaon PBS, Mary Ann has appeared on many network television shows including THE TODAY SHOW, REGIS and KATHY LEE, QVC, DISCOVERY, REGIS and KELLY, LIFETIME and THE FOOD NETWORK.