Mary Ann Esposito (born August 3, 1942) is an American chef, cookbook writer (having published over a dozen cookbooks[1]), and the television host of Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito, which started in 1989 and is the longest-running television cooking program in America.
Eventually, Esposito attended college, where she would graduate with a teaching degree and become an elementary school teacher.
On the hottest day of the year in the region, the television crew came to Esposito's home in Durham, New Hampshire, and the pilot was taped.
Upon airing, the pilot received great reception and the longest-running television cooking show was born.
[2] Through the show, Esposito seeks to help her viewers learn about new recipes that are "doable, authentic, and good.
"[3] When deciding what to feature on the show, Esposito has four standards: she must like to eat the food, the ingredients should be easy to find, the recipe should be something unique and new to the viewer, and should be manageable by the kitchen staff.
[8] She stated, "I've been asked to do a Ciao Italia restaurant many times over the years, and I've always said no," but agreed to open one in her longtime hometown of Durham.
[8] Ownership and business model quickly pivoted, the very next year, 2021, to a wine bar owned by the Clark Family.
[5] On June 2, 2013, a knighthood was bestowed upon her by the President of the Italian Republic under the title Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy).
[citation needed] Esposito was honored in 2004 with the Advancement in Career award by her alma mater Daemen College.