If you don't know the name Mary Ann Esposito, your Italian cooking skills are likely lacking. She's a chef, author of 14 cookbooks, and the showrunner behind "Ciao Italia," America's longest-running cooking show on public television. Food Network and The Cooking Channel often dominate our screens when it comes to food media, but we can't forget about public broadcasting.
PBS is behind Esposito's nationally televised series. The show's premise is simple and hasn't shifted in its 30 years — Esposito bounces between the United States and Italy for inspiration, then sources whatever is needed for that episode's themed dishes. The recipes can always be prepared within the length of an episode, a quick 30 minutes.
