NORTH PROVIDENCE - Mary Ann Esposito, host of PBS' "Ciao Italia," TV's longest running cooking show, has signed on to be the honorary chair of Cookies with Class, Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc.'s premier fund-raising event, at which some of the area's top chefs will create delicious desserts - all made from Girl Scout cookies.

The event will take place on Monday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Johnson & Wales Inn in Seekonk, Mass. Tickets for the event may be purchased online at gsri.org/support or by contacting Nicole Kelly at 331-4500, ext. 1312.

Top cookie sellers from North Providence troops joined Esposito for a publicity photo.

As honorary chair of Cookies with Class, Esposito will serve as a judge and will be on hand to talk with guests and sign her cookbooks.

She will be joined by other celebrity judges, including NBC10's Frank Terranova, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Elsie Foy of Aunt Carrie's Restaurant, and Bruce Newbury, WXLM's Food Dude.

Area restaurants that are sending chefs to participate in the event include the following Providence restaurants and food establishments: Bacaro Restaurant, Costantino's Ristorante/Venda Ravioli, Hemenway's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, Gracie's, and Twist on Angell. Additionally, Fine Catering by Russell Morin - with offices in Attleboro, Mass. and Newport - is also participating.¬ 

All of the chefs' dessert entries will be judged on taste, presentation and usage of Girl Scout cookies.

Esposito, a former Girl Scout, said, "We need Girl Scouts now more than ever, which is why I'm honored to be supporting this event. Scouting gives every girl a chance to build character and integrity. It gives them the values that will sustain them throughout life and help them reach their goals in an ever-changing world. Being a Girl Scout gave me the tools to dream and make those dreams a reality."

The top sponsors of Cookies with Class include Amica Insurance, Hasbro, Inc., and BankRI.

Bill DeWitt, director of marketing and corporate communications for BankRI and board member of Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc. said, "We are delighted to support the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island and this unique event, and we sincerely appreciate Mary Ann's willingness to support an organization that has meant something to her."

The Cookies with Class event will include hearty hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and an extensive silent auction, which will also be conducted online. All proceeds raised by the event will go to support the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island., Inc.