I could’ve never imagined that the first email I read this morning would set the day off in such a whirlwind of activity and excitement! If you’ve been following along with my clues on Twitter & Facebook, you might already have a guess… :) Bertolli, who sponsored the last giveaway where I made my own basil fettuccine, contacted me about another giveaway… An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime giveaway…
Are you ready?
An all-expenses paid trip for me AND one lucky kevinandamanda.com reader to attend a fun, culinary-inspired day and an exclusive, intimate meet-and-greet in Los Angeles, CA with celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito!
We’re going to LA!
And we get to meet *him*!!!
***
Time’s Up!!!
The winner of the Bertolli Giveaway Trip to L.A. has been chosen and notified!
(I wish I could take you allllll with me!)
Keep in touch with with me next week on Twitter and Facebook – I’ll keep you updated every step of the way! :)
Thanks so much for looking – See you next week! :)
***
It’s all happening next week! And yes- you read that right! Me AND a reader!! Sound like fun?? Want to come with me?? :)
If you’d like to join me in Los Angeles for an all-expenses paid trip to meet Rocco here’s what you need to know:
HOW TO ENTER…
To be entered to win, all you have to do is answer a question in the comments section of this post! :)
For this “Week of Bertolli” Giveaway, I will post a video every day starting today until Thursday, May 6th (4 videos total). The first video will be at the bottom of this post. The rest of the videos will be posted here, every day:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/giveaway/bertolli
Bookmark that page and check it every day this week for the new videos! :) To enter, simply watch the videos and answer the question I ask about the video in the comments section of this post. To make it easy on me, always come back to this original post to leave your comment.
You may enter up to 4 times by watching all 4 videos! :)
NOTE: You don’t have to watch all 4 videos in order to win – just one entry is all it takes to win! :)
You also don’t have to leave a comment on the same day the video was posted- it doesn’t “expire”. If for some reason you don’t see this post until Tuesday, you may leave both your comments for Monday and Tuesday’s videos on Tuesday. Or if you don’t see it until Thursday, you may leave all 4 comments on Thursday. Make sense? :)
EXTRA ENTRIES…
You may Tweet about this giveaway once per day for another 4 entries! Twitter entries must include @kevinandamanda, @Bertolli, and a link back to this giveaway post. Use this link to reference this post: http://bit.ly/bxQoIW Leave a separate comment on this post for each tweet!
You may Share on Facebook once per day for another 4 entries! Facebook entries must be tagged with the (new!) Kevin & Amanda Facebook Fan Page & Bertolli’s fan page. To do this, become a fan of Kevin & Amanda and Bertolli on Facebook. Start typing a status update and type the @ symbol, then (with no space) start typing Kevin… or Bertolli… and you will see the fan page pop up. Click on it to “tag’ us in your status update. Entries must also include a link back to this post. Use this link to reference this post. Leave a separate comment on this post for each Share!
You may enter up to 8 extra times by Tweeting & Sharing every day! :)
THE RULES…
- Contest ends Thursday, May 6th at 11:59 pm CST.
- Winners must be traveling from within the continental U.S. and be able to attend a trip to Los Angeles, CA with date range of May 10 to May 12, 2010.
***
Got that?? :) *whew!* Alright! Here is the first video!! :)
Join Rocco Dispirito, Marisa Tomei and Dan Cortese as they begin their culinary adventure in the beautiful walled city of Lucca. Watch as our trio unlocks the secrets of talented local artisans and chefs, learns that one ingredient is as valuable as money, and discovers the inspiration behind Bertolli Frozen Meals’ Chicken Florentine and Farfalle.
And the question to answer is… (I’ll go easy on you for the first video! ;))
What was your favorite scene in this webisode? Was it when Rocco, Marisa, and Dan had to match which cheese came from which animal? How fun was that little game?? I would’ve loved to try and guess! :) Was it when Marisa learned the secret to the perfect pinch of farfalle pasta?? I totally want to try making my own cute little pinched farfalle bows now! :) Meep! :) Or was it something else? What was your favorite?? :)
***
Oh! And BTW! :) There will be another blogger and her reader joining us – And guess who it is! Well… you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out! :) She hasn’t posted on her blog yet and I don’t want to scoop her. ;) But I have a feeling you will be just as excited as I was! :) I can’t decide who I’m more excited to meet: Rocco or………. ;)
Thanks so much for reading and entering… I can’t wait to meet the winner!
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380 Comments
I loved the confetti and the beautiful papier-mache in ep. 4.
In episode 4, I loved when Marissa was flipping the ingredients in the pan. She was so proud!
Day 4……I liked when they were on the boat……I could almost smell the water and feel the breeze! The food looked yummy! I must try every Bertolli entre………LA here I come!
definitely pan flipping. I wish I could do that!!! These are so fun to watch!!
How fun! The best part was when the moms were in the kitchen doing their thing with their grown “children”. Once a mom, always a mom – if even if you are a famous!
Tweet! Tweet! Just sent out the fabulous-ness of this fantastic event to my twitter peeps!
xoxo~
Abbie
I love the chicken scene were Merissa wouldn’t go into the chicken coop. I also like Rocco teaching how to properly salt the lasagna.
In vidoe #4, I too am impressed that Marisa is able to toss the pasta. I so want to try this now!
I know this isn’t exactly about the food, but my favorite scene was when Veto’s momma was giving Dan those lovey dovey eyes! It just made me laugh so much! :)
CONFETTI! what a fun bunch… and the food? fantastic!
Thursday Webisode:
When my parents lived in Gulfport, MS for a couple years, I went shrimping one day. It was so much fun!
Not that i’ve tried this exact dinner – but Garlic Shrimp with penne & cherry tomatoes sounds divine!
Vid 2: I never used to like mushrooms as a child. However, as I got older and discovered the wonders of mushrooms (i.e. there is more than just white button mushrooms! lol) I became enraptured! I love to try new mushrooms in the recipes I create. So I’d have to say my favorite part of the video was when they got to go to the forest to find the fresh mushrooms. I think that experience would be so incredible. And then to get to use and eat them! YUM!
I just loved the beginning and seeing the beautiful Italian city! the dinner at the end was beautiful too!
Vid 3: My “favorite” scene was when Marisa had to leave the chicken coop. My friends think I’m weird, but I have a similar fear of birds flying at me! lol It was great to see that I’m not the only one who doesn’t like! :)
Vid 4: My favorite part was when they were out in the shrimp boat. It reminded me of when my family and I would go out to the ocean to fish when I was a kid living in Alaska. So many great memories!
I thought it was cute that Marisa was scared of the chickens! I probably would be, too. They were flying everywhere!
I liked the scene where they had to match the cheese to the animal. Like Amanda, I would have loved to try that! Yum! :)
OMG! were those the BIGGEST shrimp you’ve ever seen! I can only imagine how great fresh caught shrimp taste and Marisa is just cute as a button! I think my favorite part of this episode was Dan ate that green stuff – yuk – and later found out the chef was just messing with him! the look on his face was priceless. All the dishes in each episode look so delicious I am going to stock up on Bertolli on my next trip to the grocer!
My most favorite part of adventure 3 was everyone working together in the kitchen and the making of the pasta.. I never realized how easy it is.. we have 5 chickens and I LOVE our fresh eggs everyday. I’ll definitely have to try making my own pasta, especially after you posted about making your own pasta.. must try!
My favorite part of Webisode 1 is when Marisa gets to cook with her mother. There’s just something special about doing things with my family that I cherish and builds a stronger bond between each other. I love my family and it’s nice to see others who love their family as well!
My favorite part of the second video was when they got out of the car and Dan was talking about how he would shift the gears and hit Rocco in the knees!
I loved seeing the forest where they were hunting the wild mushrooms, too!
My favorite part of the video #4 was the meal. The shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and pasta looked perfect in the garlic & oil. That type of dinner is so right up my alley. Mmmmmmm.
I felt so bad for Dan that he got seasick. =( I’ve had that happen to me and it’s NOT fun.
Video #4…oh shrimp, how I would love to eat you!!!!
My favorite part of the third video was when Rocco showed Marisa how to properly throw the salt onto the pasta. I never knew there was a “correct” way to do that!
Shared on fb again today!
Webisode#3-I thought it was funny when they brought them the egg and Dan’s guess was they had to look for a chicken! The chicken coop part was funny too…I was waiting for one of them to get pooped on! I also learned a new little trick about salt…too bad I don’t make my own pasta…I’ll let Bertolli do it for me!
Webisode#2-Not a big mushroom fan, but if they are prepared the right way with something else I may eat them. I love when they were picking the mushrooms, I want to go hang out with all of them!
My favorite part of the fourth video was when they were pulling the shrimp from the net and Marisa squealed when she touched one. I would react like that, too!
My favorite part is definitely Rocco! :) He is so easy on the eyes. :)
Shared on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/arena.blake
Tweeted about the giveaway, too!
@thenerdswife
My favorite part is Rocco. (yum) I also like when they rode their bikes through the streets. It’s so beautiful!!
Favorite part for webisode 2 is when one of the guys says the mushrooms are popping up like magic! I kept thinking of magic ‘shrooms! *A little giggle to myself* Yes. I’m a total dork!
And Marisa is just gorgeous! She’s always been gorgeous and ages SO WELL! I need to know her secret! How can I look as good as her?
I also liked how those mountain people were keeping the tradition of mushrooms alive, just like Marisa said. Again it ties with keeping true to your roots and to your family.
Facebooked again! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gourmet-Mom-on-the-Go/127739886508?ref=ts
Can’t wait until tomorrow to hear who’s going!
tweeted again!
http://twitter.com/GourmetMom/statuses/13509999311
HAHA! I love how they get the name of the person who knows most about eggs and Dan says, “When you hear that name you think EGG GUY”. Hilarious! And the egg hoarder! Classic!
But I couldn’t figure what could be your fave and most shocking moment…it must’ve been during the moment the kids pulled me away from the computer to show me something!
Whoops, that last one was for the third webisode! I’m sure you figured that by now.
Anyways, here’s what I thought of the fourth!
First off, is there any way I can shrink the three of them and carry them with me in my pocket? They look like so much fun to be around and know so much about good food!
My most favorite part was when they were catching the shrimp! That looks like fun (but I can too imagine myself getting sea sick)!
Also I was highly disgusted when they gutted the shrimp and the green stuff was there! What the heck is that?!
What fun webisodes! I’m glad I watched them!
My favorite part was the carnival! The floats are awesome!
My favorite scene from webisode 4 was pretty much any one involving Dan :’) I finally realized where I know him from–one of my favorite TV shows (What I Like About You)–and he just seemed all the funnier. Talking about the confetti being everywhere, the sea sickness (poor bb) and when he gets punked with the shrimp!!
But, kindadrunk!Rocco was pretty darn cute too ;)
I’ve always wanted to raise my own chickens, not that many though, maybe 2 or 3. Fresh eggs are the best!
D: I didn’t realize I was supposed to comment for each tweet :( Darnit, should have read closer!! Anyway, my twitter name is ilyauraamour and I first tweeted 5/3!
And tweeted on 5/4! (@ilyauraamour)
…and on 5/6!! (@ilyauraamour)
My family used to pick wild mushrooms, these huge mushrooms the size of softballs. My grandma would cook them for us, everyone loved them, it was such a treat!
My favorite part was when the were on a boat out in the Mediterranean sea! It was so beautiful! The pasta looked amazing also!
I facebooked http://www.facebook.com/BURNSBROOD6 and tweeted heartrn24
Thanks for this opportunity! I think whoever wins this is going to have an amazing time! I just hope it’s me! Good luck everyone!
I liked the cheese shop. What a selection!! (and the game looked fun,too)
Oh my. Marisa was so cute making the pasta in the second video! She is so adorable!
I have never had wild mushrooms! Wow! What an experience they had!
In episode 2 I liked Sauro? and his moustache and how he talked all the time! I’m not a big mushroom fan but their dish looked pretty good.
Loved watching Dan and Rocco in the chicken coop! Hilarious! I would have been outside with Marisa!
On episode 3 I think youe favorite scene had to be the chicken coop and all the wild chickens! I personally would be with Marisa – outside!
Oh yay Marisa! She looked like a pro in the kitchen! I loved the look on her face! Too cute!
She is way more skilled in the kitchen than I am! LOL
day 4
Yum! That pasta looked incredible! So proud of Marisa! She is so cute!
In episode 4 the carnivale was great! What fun and good food!
and I tweeted today :) (@ilyauraamour)
I also facebooked 5/3! (facebook.com/natalie.garrett)
Facebooked 5/2! (facebook.com/natalie.garrett)
D’OH! That was supposed to be a 5! Serves me right for typing on my numpad instead of on the row of number keys! Anyway, I also Facebook’d on 5/4!
And last but not least, I facebooked today, bringing the total to four facebook mentions, four tweet mentions, and four comments here! *crossing fingers*!!!
Marisa is great with the pan!
I love that dish. “Italy is served.”
Fave scene was the flipping!
PICK ME!! PICK ME!!!!!!!!!!
Episode 4: The scenery was absolutely beautiful in this little episode! I love that she’s learned to flip the food in the pan… I need to learn to do that! (I’m imagining a big mess to clean up!)
day 4
I shared on facebook
I loved the “I have confetti up my nose” comment. Seeing how fresh shrimps are caught and cleaned was enlightening.
Status updated on facebook for Keven & Amanda
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pkraikittikun
Status updated on facebook for Bertolli
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pkraikittikun
My mouth is still watering from watching them serve and eat the dish!! It looked incredible. I think the dish in this episode is by far my favorite. And of course, every episode makes me wish I were on the Mediterranean!
shared on facebook
Video 4: Do I have to pick a favorite?
I wanted to dive into my computer and eat that final dish. It looked, by a mile, like my favorite meal of the four. I also LOVED Dan preparing/eating the raw shrimp. I had to laugh out loud yet applaud him, I don’t think that I could have taken off their poor heads. But OH do I love to eat them! YUM!
Another Facebook mention! Just a Few Hours Left!
@gregandniki Chazen
My favorite part of the fourth video was the beautiful scenery in the beginning. I have never been to Italy but enjoyed seeing the scenery in all of the videos.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Donna
I think my favorite part of the 2nd episode was when they are trying to find the guy and Rocco just starts yelling for him. I love Rocco! He makes me smile!
Ok, the Wednesday video- CHICKENS!! We had chickens when I was little, and they scared the bejeezus out of me. I’m not sure I could have gone in the coop, either!
Last video! I really liked the scenery in this one too. Makes me want to go on vacation! The food looked so delicious, I think my favorite part was when they were cooking and everyone looked like they were having so much fun.
Carnivale is my favorite scene in episode 4!