Maryann is a busy woman on the go!  In addition to being known for her fresh, easy and delicious recipes, she’s a busy executive and business owner, author, award-winning TV/Film writer and producer, journalist and TV Host.  She’s also a wife, stepmom, daughter, sister, and friend.  The concept of “Simply Delicious Living” was developed from Maryann’s passions for home and hearth as well as creating the delicate (and not-so-easy) balance between her personal and professional life.

Love of the Home Arts

As the eldest of six children (4 boys, 2 girls), from a close-knit 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 (passed down from her Grandmother Mary Ridini) and Irish (from her Grandmother Theresa Murphy) dishes. 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 a variety of home crafts. As a young 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 studio executive, and then through her company, Ridini Entertainment (www.RidiniEntertainment.com), she 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 love and experience as a TV/Print journalist and 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 and Producing

Maryann, a member of the Producers Guild of America (www.producersguild.org) and the Writers Guild of America, West (www.wga.org), is also  an established, award-winning TV and Film screenwriter, producer and director.  She has written, produced and directed a number of TV series, specials and movies for such outlets as:  Cable News Network, USA Networks, SyFy Channel, Showtime, The Movie Channel and for network syndication and foreign theatrical distribution.

Most recently, under her REC company banner,  she co-wrote/produced “The Lost Valentine” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White (Hallmark Hall of Fame/CBS-TV, 2011), based on the best selling novel by James Michael Pratt.  “The Lost Valentine” was Hallmark Hall of Fame’s most highly rated movie in four years and won CBS-TV the night with over 15 million viewers tuning in.  The movie was co-written/produced by Maryann. (A Hallmark Hall of Fame Production in Association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation).

In an interview for CBS-TV, Maryann talks about what led her to option and write the teleplay.

Print and Television Journalist and 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.  

Maryann writes/produces/directs & hosts “Simply Delicious Living withMaryann®.”  The show premiered on Time Warner Cable ON DEMAND (2010-2012), and is currently in production and seen on PBS Television and in First Run Television Syndication.  For more show information, and for media outlets interested in syndicating the show, Contact REC at (818) 884-0104. 

Maryann also writes the Simply Delicious Living blog, hosts weekly podcasts on iTunes , and writes the nationally syndicated PRINT & VIDEO Column, “Simply Delicious Living.”  In Ventura County, read/watch her column at Ventura County Star’s Food & Wine, “VC Style,” Home & Garden, Lifestyles and Family Pages.  READ MORE.

Additionally, Maryann also hosts the environmental TV series, “Sustainable Ventura” airing in Ventura, Ca.  “Sustainable Ventura” Video News Segments also featured at Ventura County Star’s News, Your News (all city pages) and Media Pages.

Under her REC banner, Maryann writes, produces and hosts video packages (environmental, healthy living, lifestyle, profile interviews) for various television and print outlets. MEDIA OUTLETS interested in syndicating one of Maryann’s VIDEO or PRINT COLUMNS or VIDEO NEWS Stories, please contact:  Ridini Entertainment, (818) 884-0104.

Public Relations & Marketing

Maryann has an extensive PR/Marketing background, serving as Director and Vice President of several studios and businesses.

Via Ridini Entertainment, she has planned and implemented national and international campaigns for such high profile brands as:  The United States Olympic Committee (and the Olympic GAMES), NBC/Universal, E! Entertainment Television, and many others.  For more information, Visit:  www.RidiniEntertainment.com

Theatrical Beginnings

Maryann began her career in front of the camera at the age of twelve, performing in many student plays. Living in New York during her junior high and high school years, she worked as an actress and apprentice for the Syosset Theatre Summer Stock Company.

Later, while attending college, Maryann went on to continue her acting and apprenticeships working in Equity and Non-Equity theatre at such venues as: The Hampton Playhouse (Hampton, NH), and New London Barn Players (New London, CT) performing in leading and/or supporting roles in such plays as: “Oliver,” “The Red Shoes,” “No, No Nanette,” “How Now Dow Jones,” “Story Theatre,” “Sound of Music,” “The Cole Porter Review.” Other theatrical credits include: “Antigone,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “The Children’s Hour,” “The Typists and the Tiger,” “Take Her, She’s Mine” and “Henry, Sweet Henry.” She also appeared on local NY television in “The Glass Menagerie” and “The Rainmaker,” and was an announcer for the local Long Island radio station, WVHC 88.7FM.

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 in Letters.

She has studied at the Actor’s TV Studio (NYC), PAF Playhouse (Huntington, NY), as well as voice with coach Ben Arrigo of Glenn Productions.

Public Speaker

As a Print/Television Journalist and Host, Maryann lectures extensively and  has appeared on many panels discussing:  Writing, TV/Film Production,  Public Relations and Marketing, Performing/Hosting and being a woman in business.

Maryann is married to Dr. Christopher Scott Spencer, M.D., founder of the Western Center For Integrated Medicine and the SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV Medical Director.  They reside on an avocado and citrus orchard in Ventura County, California.