This is a Vintage Selection from 2005

Episode Description
Mary Ann Esposito, pioneering host of PBS’s Ciao Italia, the longest running cooking show, joins the Restaurant Guys to discuss authentic Italian cooking before it was trendy. The conversation explores traditional Italian cuisine, regional cooking, food television, and how Italian food in America drifted from its roots.

The Banter
The Restaurant Guys open with a candid—and humorous—discussion of dieting culture in America, demonized foods, and what happens after a few months of eating sausage and whipped cream. 

The Conversation
The Guys welcome Mary Ann Esposito, the host of PBS’s Ciao Italia and one of the earliest voices of authentic Italian cooking on American television. Mary Ann reflects on teaching traditional Italian cuisine, the foundations of regional cooking, and how Italian-American food evolved away from its origins. She also shares practical insights on bringing authenticity back into everyday cooking—without turning weeknight dinner into a chore.

The Inside Track
Mark and Francis reconnect with Mary Ann, recalling a memorable visit at their New Brunswick, NJ restaurant in 2005. They revisit her long-running culinary tours to Italy—and discover she’s still hosting them in 2026—proving that some food traditions don’t just endure, they keep evolving.

Timestamps
01:12 – What’s Wrong with a Pasta Dinner?
 02:07 – Bad Diet Trends and Misunderstood Italian Food
 06:35 – Mary Ann Esposito and Family Recipes
 12:15 – The Cuisine of Sicily and Regional Italian Cooking
 20:00 – The Quest for the Perfect Cannoli
 24:30 – Preserving Authentic Italian Cuisine
 29:30 – Finding Time to Cook Well at Home
 32:00 – Leaving a Legacy in Food

Bio
Mary Ann Esposito is the longtime host of PBS’s Ciao Italia and a leading voice in Italian cooking in America. An award-winning author and teacher, she has spent decades sharing traditional Italian cuisine and shaping how home cooks understand regional Italian food.

Info

Mary Ann’s recipes, tours and other info

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