Mary Ann Esposito on the Traditions behind Food for Italians and Italian Americans
In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Mary Ann Esposito about her career as a TV chef and the traditions behind food for Italians and Italian Americans. Mary Ann has been teaching people how to cook both the Italian and the Italian American way for 28 years on TV.
At the end of the episode, we will have a special Christmas Stories Segment with some audio clips from our recent Arthur Avenue Food Tour.
Episode Quote
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child
Tweetables
- “The food you are eating points to something about you and your family and your family’s history.” – Dolores Alfieri
- “The different Italian traditions allow you to have your own tradition within the Italian culture.” – Anthony Fasano
- “There wasn’t anything on my trip to Italy that I didn’t love.” – Mary Ann Esposito
- “No matter where you go in Italy, you will be surprised how localized the food is.” – Mary Ann Esposito
- “Italian cooking is very different than the Italian American cooking.” – Dolores Alfieri
- “Italians have a reverence for land that we do not have because of their connection of growing things from the earth.” – Mary Ann Esposito
- “For great Italian cooking, you take quality ingredients and you keep the treatment simple.” – Mary Ann Esposito
- “You can approximate the flavors of an Italian dish from Italy, but you will never duplicate it.” – Mary Ann Esposito
- “Every time I go to Italy is like I am going there for the first time.” – Mary Ann Esposito
About our Guest…
As the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™, she has brought her Italian American values to millions of Americans. This year, the series celebrates its milestone 26th season, making it the longest running cooking series in television history. Through Ciao Italia and appearances on other television programs including The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, QVC, the Food Network, Discovery Channel, Fox, Martha Stewart Radio, RAI International, The Victory Garden, Simply Ming, and so many others!), she has been able to share traditional Italian cooking with audiences around the world.
Mary Ann Esposito is the author of 12 cookbooks. Her most recent, Ciao Italia Family Classics. In addition, she hosts an annual trip to Italy for students to experience hands-on cooking classes.
Episode Sponsors
The National Italian American Foundation
Mediaset Italia
Italy Legal Online
Holidaze App – For IOS
Resources Mentioned
The New Neighborhood
IAP 55: The Rich Italian American Traditions Steeped in our Food
Ciao Italia
Seeds from Italy
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Mary Ann’s Facebook
Mary Ann’s Blog
Books Mentioned
| Ciao Italia | Ciao Italia Family Classics | The Food of Italy |
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8 minutes and 57 seconds into this podcast and I still hadn’t heard a word out of Mary Ann Esposito. Finally, at 8 minutes and 58 seconds, the two hosts gave Mary Ann a chance to speak.
Todd, thanks for the feedback. We’re still trying to get better and will keep trying. Thanks for letting us know how we can improve. Grazie.
You would have a difficult time growing cranberries in Sicily. You would have an even more difficult time growing lingonberries in Sicily.
There are indeed edible crops in the world that demand a winter to survive and thrive.
“These women, they haven’t really died.”
BRAVA!!
🙂
Grazie!