Interview with Mary Ann Esposito & Book Giveaway!

Exclusive Interview with Chef/Author and TV Host of PBS' Ciao Italia, Mary Ann Esposito.

CDC: What is the concept of your latest cookbook, Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites?

MAE:Less is more; all recipes from antipasto to dessert use only 5 ingredients excluding salt and pepper.

CDC: Where did you find inspiration for this book concept? Is there a specific audience you had in mind?

MAE:Italian food has always been about the integrity of the ingredients and simple preparation. This was my inspiration. I created the recipes based on easy and economical availability and for the times we find ourselves in.

CDC: Is there a favorite Autumn recipe that you recommend for this book?

MAE:Lentil, ditalini and sausage soup.

CDC: When can our ciaodc.com subscribers see you in the Washington, D.C. metro area?

MAE: Closest I will get is IKEA in College Park on November 5 for a cooking presentation and book promotion.

CDC: What is growing in the Ciao Italia garden this season?

MAE: The Ciao Italia garden is full of Italian varieties from San Marzano tomatoes, to eggplant, Romanesco zucchini, Neapolitan basil, hot and sweet peppers, Sun Gold tomatoes, Swiss chard, arugula, pole beans, escarole and radicchio. There are many recipes from the new book that use these fresh ingredients such as my Sicilian specialty, Peperonata (mixed sweet pepper casserole.)

CDC: When can ciaodc.com subscribers see you on our local WETA? Can we also view your cooking segments online?

MAE: Ciao Italia airs every night at 8:30 p.m. on WETA Create. Can't get enough of Mary Ann? Visit www.ciaoitalia.com and become a standard or premium member. It only costs $5.99 per month to watch unlimited videos of Mary Ann making recipes whenever you want!

CDC: Are you planning a special cooking tour in Italy this year?

MAE: Tuscany in September 2010. Visit www.ciaoitalia.com travel section for more information.

CDC: We are thrilled to plan a special event with you, Mary Ann, for our ciaodc.com subscribers. What would you like to say to our subscribers today?

MAE: I look forward to creating a special event for ciaodc.com subscribers in the near future. When I visit the Washington, D.C. metro area, I use ciaodc.com as my guide to the Italian community...food, people, culture. Buon Appetito Washington, D.C.!
CDC: Thank you for bringing Italy to the D.C. metro area everyday via WETA Create and for offering a signed book of Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites to one lucky ciaodc.com subscriber. Enter to win at ciaodc@gmail.com. One lucky winner will be chosen on November 9 and announced on the ciaodc.com blog.

Winner of DC's Ticket to Italy!

Thank you to all that participated in CiaoDC.com's Italian Heritage Month Giveaway. We appreciate your enthusiasm, referrals and loyal subscription to ciaodc.com. Each month, CiaoDC.com will be giving away a piece of Italy here in Washington, D.C. So stay tuned and keep participating. We are thrilled to announce this month's winner of DC's Ticket to Italy to Carolina Valencia of Washington, D.C. Her prize includes two tickets to see Antonello Venditti tonight; two tickets to the National Italian American Foundation Gala; and four pints of G.S. Gelato! Special thanks to our promotional partners G.S. Gelato and NIAF. "I always click on CiaoDC.com for things Italian in Washington, D.C." -- Carolina Valencia.

Celebrate Italy in the Western Caribbean

Celebrate all things Italian aboard the MSC Poesia. Opera singing, tarantella dancing, pizza making, chef demonstrations, and more. Booking now for April 2010. For more information, contact Stefania Impeduglia at Best Cruises International Travel at BCRUISEINET@aol.com.

GS Gelato and CiaoDC.com at Piazza d'Italia Oct. 23

ENTER TO WIN GELATO & ANTONELLO VENDITTI TICKET!

Enter to win 4 pints of G.S. Gelato when you visit the ciaodc.com/G.S. Gelato booth at the National Italian American Foundation's Piazza d'Italia on Friday, October 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Washington Hilton during the FREE 2-day exhibit! Come by and say, "ciao!"

Plus when you sign up to follow the ciaodc.com blog by Sunday, Oct.11, you will be eligible to win one (1) ticket to see Antonello Venditti live on Friday, October 23 at The Washington Hilton in honor of the NIAF's 34th Annual gala weekend. Simply sign up to follow ciaodc.com blog and be eligible to win. Winner will be announced on Monday, October 12 here. Special thanks to our product sponsors, GS Gelato and The National Italian American Foundation. The Washington Hilton is located in Dupont Circle at 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.