SimplyDeliciousLivingwithMaryann.com
Recipes for Life
Recipes for Life
About Maryann Ridini Spencer
Love of the Home Arts
As the eldest of six children from a a East Coast, Irish/Italian family, Maryann developed a love for cooking and the home arts at a very early age.
Some of her warmest memories from childhood are helping her mother to prepare a variety of Italian dishes (passed down from her Grandmother Mary Ridini) and Irish plates (from her Grandmother Theresa Murphy). Growing up it was also common for Maryann to take over the family kitchen preparing and creating a variety of family favorites.
In addition to her talents in the kitchen, Maryann is also an adept seamstress and enjoys decorating, gardening and working with arts & crafts. As a teen, her skills won her the Kiwanis Home Economics Award.
In her career, Maryann has worked for many established restaurants and banquet halls. Later, while working as a TV/Film studio executive, and then through her company, Ridini Entertainment, Maryann began to organize and/or cater numerous private parties and corporate events.
"Simply Delicious Living" was born out of Maryann's passion for cooking, entertaining and decorating as well as her industry experiences as a TV/Print journalist and award-winning TV/Film writer and producer.
Today, Maryann continues to enjoy creating delicious dishes and entertaining with family and friends. She believes that one of life's greatest pleasures is making a home a special haven to enjoy and celebrate with every meal!
Professionally Speaking
Writing & Producing
Maryann is an accomplished producer, writer, director and TV host. Her credits are numerous. She's worked with such companies as: Cable News Network, USA Networks, the SyFy Channel, The Movie Channel, in syndication and for foreign theatrical distribution. Most recently, she co-wrote/produced the critically acclaimed, award-winning ratings hit, "The Lost Valentine," starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt (Hallmark Hall of Fame/CBS-TV, 2011), based on the best selling novel by James Michael Pratt. Maryann is a member of the Writers Guild of America, West and the Producers Guild of America.
Print and Television Journalist & Host
As a print journalist, Maryann has written for such publications as: Palm Springs Life (Food Editor/Writer), Los Angeles Magazine, Desert Magazine, Hi-Def, Soap Opera Digest, the Ventura County Star and many others. Her beats include: Food/Epicurean, Lifestyle, Health & Fitness, Entertainment and Women's Issues. Currently, she writes the Simply Delicious Living blog, hosts weekly podcasts on iTunes , and writes the online blog/column VC Style for Ventura County Star. In addition to Simply Delicious Living, Maryann also hosts the environmental TV series, "Sustainable Ventura." Under her REC banner, Maryann also writes, produces and hosts video packages for various television and print outlets.
Public Relations & Marketing Executive
Maryann has an extensive PR/Marketing background. She has served as Director and Vice President of several studios and businesses working with major brands such as: The United States Olympic Committee (and the Olympic GAMES), NBC/Universal, E! Entertainment Television, and many others. Visit: RidiniEntertainment.com
Theatrical Beginnings
Maryann began her career at the age of twelve, performing in many student plays. She worked as an acting apprentice for Equity and Non-Equity theatres at such venues as The Hampton Playhouse (NH) and New London Barn Players (CT), performing in leading and/or supporting roles in such plays as: "Oliver," "The Red Shoes," "No, No Nannette," "How Now Dow Jones," "Story Theatre," "The Sound of Music," "Arsenic and Old Lace," and many other productions. She was also an announcer for the local Long Island College Radio Station, WVHC 88.7 FM.
Maryann is a recipient of numerous acting awards and honors including placing as a Finalist in the New York City 5th Dramatic Invitational, Second Place in the Staten Island Regional, and a Finalist in the National Society of Arts & Letters. She studied at the Actor's TV Studio (NYC), Performing Arts Playhouse (Huntington, NY) and voice with Ben Arrigo.
Public Speaker
Maryann lectures extensively and has appeared on many panels discussing: Writing, TV/Film Production, Public Relations & Marketing, Performing & Hosting and being a woman in business.
As the eldest of six children from a a East Coast, Irish/Italian family, Maryann developed a love for cooking and the home arts at a very early age.
Some of her warmest memories from childhood are helping her mother to prepare a variety of Italian dishes (passed down from her Grandmother Mary Ridini) and Irish plates (from her Grandmother Theresa Murphy). Growing up it was also common for Maryann to take over the family kitchen preparing and creating a variety of family favorites.
In addition to her talents in the kitchen, Maryann is also an adept seamstress and enjoys decorating, gardening and working with arts & crafts. As a teen, her skills won her the Kiwanis Home Economics Award.
In her career, Maryann has worked for many established restaurants and banquet halls. Later, while working as a TV/Film studio executive, and then through her company, Ridini Entertainment, Maryann began to organize and/or cater numerous private parties and corporate events.
"Simply Delicious Living" was born out of Maryann's passion for cooking, entertaining and decorating as well as her industry experiences as a TV/Print journalist and award-winning TV/Film writer and producer.
Today, Maryann continues to enjoy creating delicious dishes and entertaining with family and friends. She believes that one of life's greatest pleasures is making a home a special haven to enjoy and celebrate with every meal!
Professionally Speaking
Writing & Producing
Maryann is an accomplished producer, writer, director and TV host. Her credits are numerous. She's worked with such companies as: Cable News Network, USA Networks, the SyFy Channel, The Movie Channel, in syndication and for foreign theatrical distribution. Most recently, she co-wrote/produced the critically acclaimed, award-winning ratings hit, "The Lost Valentine," starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt (Hallmark Hall of Fame/CBS-TV, 2011), based on the best selling novel by James Michael Pratt. Maryann is a member of the Writers Guild of America, West and the Producers Guild of America.
Print and Television Journalist & Host
As a print journalist, Maryann has written for such publications as: Palm Springs Life (Food Editor/Writer), Los Angeles Magazine, Desert Magazine, Hi-Def, Soap Opera Digest, the Ventura County Star and many others. Her beats include: Food/Epicurean, Lifestyle, Health & Fitness, Entertainment and Women's Issues. Currently, she writes the Simply Delicious Living blog, hosts weekly podcasts on iTunes , and writes the online blog/column VC Style for Ventura County Star. In addition to Simply Delicious Living, Maryann also hosts the environmental TV series, "Sustainable Ventura." Under her REC banner, Maryann also writes, produces and hosts video packages for various television and print outlets.
Public Relations & Marketing Executive
Maryann has an extensive PR/Marketing background. She has served as Director and Vice President of several studios and businesses working with major brands such as: The United States Olympic Committee (and the Olympic GAMES), NBC/Universal, E! Entertainment Television, and many others. Visit: RidiniEntertainment.com
Theatrical Beginnings
Maryann began her career at the age of twelve, performing in many student plays. She worked as an acting apprentice for Equity and Non-Equity theatres at such venues as The Hampton Playhouse (NH) and New London Barn Players (CT), performing in leading and/or supporting roles in such plays as: "Oliver," "The Red Shoes," "No, No Nannette," "How Now Dow Jones," "Story Theatre," "The Sound of Music," "Arsenic and Old Lace," and many other productions. She was also an announcer for the local Long Island College Radio Station, WVHC 88.7 FM.
Maryann is a recipient of numerous acting awards and honors including placing as a Finalist in the New York City 5th Dramatic Invitational, Second Place in the Staten Island Regional, and a Finalist in the National Society of Arts & Letters. She studied at the Actor's TV Studio (NYC), Performing Arts Playhouse (Huntington, NY) and voice with Ben Arrigo.
Public Speaker
Maryann lectures extensively and has appeared on many panels discussing: Writing, TV/Film Production, Public Relations & Marketing, Performing & Hosting and being a woman in business.