Even though I was sick as a dog yesterday, Bertolli’s media lunch and premiere were a ton of fun! 
As you know, Bertolli just launched a new series of webisodes titled “Into the Heart of Italy: Six Adventures, Three Celebrities, One Mission… To Unlock the Secrets of Italian Passion for Food and Life.” This online series features celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito and actors Marisa Tomei, and Dan Cortese as they explore the food and culture of Italy. To kick-off the series, I was invited to attend a lunch in New York City with Rocco, Marisa, Dan, and a group of 7 food and celebrity bloggers.
The event was held at the fancy-schmany A Voce restaurant in the Time Warner Center.
We were treated to a wonderful 5-course meal in a private room at the restaurant.
I was really excited about the event, but don’t I look sort of sick? 
The meal started with freshly baked bread, drizzled with olive oil. Holy yum!
There was a special menu prepared for the event. Everything sounded so delicious– and it was! 
Farfalle
rapini, calabrian chilies, pecorino romano
Brasato
red wine braised beef short ribs, farro, root vegetable soffrito, marrow
I’m not really a meat person, but the beef was my favorite course of the whole meal. Yum!
Parmigiano Reggiano
primolio, balsamic
Bomboloni alla Toscana
tuscan doughnuts, bittersweet chocolate
Holy yum!
While eating lunch, we viewed the first webisode in the Into the Heart of Italy series. I usually don’t get into stuff like this, but I really enjoyed watching what happens to Rocco, Marisa, and Dan as they travel through Italy. They’re actually pretty funny together! Plus, there’s a sweepstakes tied to these series that I really want to win. I need a vacation in a bad way!!
After the lunch, the bloggers received an exclusive hands-on pasta demonstration with Rocco and Dan.
We learned how to make Farfalle!
First, the guys gave the pasta-making a try.
And, then the bloggers gave it a whirl. It’s not as easy as it looks!
Success! It’s all about the 3-finger pinch! 
While Rocco and Dan chatted with us, I munched on a couple of cookies.
And sipped on some hot coffee with cream.
Group shot (minus Chris): Me, Vera, Paula, Lori, Lori, and Sabrina.
I truly loved meeting these bloggers! They were all so wonderful, and I’m psyched to add their blogs to my Google Reader.
What an awesome event! Thanks for inviting me, Bertolli!
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I’m so jealous! Looks like such and amazing event with the most delicious food. I’m pretty sure my stomach just started to growl…..
Glad you are feeling better!
I would have been so star struck if I had seen Rocco in person
:O That food looks so fancy and delicious! I love how simply it’s presented
Got to say though, my favourite was the doughnuts 
I’d love to be able to make my own pasta, it’d be so useful
I hope yo’re feeling a bit better
I hope you are feeling better today Tina! I’ve always loved Rocco so I’m very jealous of your day! Pasta making is no joke!
Sounds like it was a fantastic event! Now go soak up some sunshine and let the Vit D make you feel better.
how wonderful! i would love a 5-course meal like that…i’ll take anything italian, any day please! hope you’re feeling better today!
THat looks like an absolutely fabulous event! Hope you are feeling better!
I never noticed this before but you and Sabrina kind of look alike.
Glad it was a nice event, hope you are feeling 100% soon.
Thats Vera from Im not Obsessed standing next you in the last one. LOVE her!!
Looks fantastic! No pictures of Marisa Tomei? Did you get to meet her?
@Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com: She was there, but we didn’t meet her.
how fun! even sick, you look b-e-a-utiful!
@Tina: too bad! that would have been cool.
Wow…another great event for you!
You failed to mention that your farfalle pinch was amazing and perfect. It really was!!!
You sure hide your sickness well–you don’t look sick at all!! What a classy and beautiful event.
Haha, I keep seeing my name!
Glad you had a nice time despite feeling sick. And NO, you look gorgeous (as usual) not sick at all!
very cool!
Sorry to hear you were not feeling well, but you hid it well! What a fun day!
All the food was gorgeous! And I love the shirt you wore…so cute!
Ahh, Rocco! That’s what I was looking for:) Love me a man that can cook!
I love your blazer its adorable! Where is it from? Also, was Marisa Tomei there??
That looks like a lot of fun, and I’m sure you met a lot of great people who are passionate about food and blogging like you.
Nah you don’t look sick, you still look purty! Also, that looks like such a fun time, and I agree with Noelle, where is your blazer from?!
What an amazing experience!! The pictures are great! What I wouldn’t give to meet Rocco!
Those donuts look amazing!
Looks like you had a great time – glad you are feeling better!
Hi Tina! What a cool event! Hope you are feeling better now!
I just wanted to let you know that I saw NuVal in a Lubbock grocery store!!! I was so excited- I saw it on a lot of produce, but I didn’t get a chance to look elsewhere because I was on a quick spinach run
I spent half an hour telling my boyfriend all about it haha
Oh how fun. I have only made pasta twice now. I hope you feel better soon!
also- can you tell the name of your pale pink nail polish again? It looks great- I love the subtle color
I’m so jealous because that is my favorite restaurant in NYC!! I’ve had those donuts…pretty delish
you don’t look sick at all- you look gorg as always
looks like an amazing event! those donuts look ahhhhmazing
have a great day and hope you feel 100% soon <3
what a truly amazing experience! I love all of the food pictures btu to be honest I think my favorite would be that simple yet rich plate of the parm cheese block
those donuts…I have no words!
feel better and enjoy this beautiful day!
wow, what a great recap! And btw, i wish i looked that good when i was sick
everything looks delicious. especially the doughnuts! ps. very cute jacket!
Yum….doughnuts and chocolate!!!! Looks like a fun event….hope you are feeling better!
I’m glad you are gonna follow Vera. She’s a cool lady. Love her.
I love Vera’s blog– I’ve been obsessed (ha) with it for years! Looks like such a fun event– hope you feel at least a little better?
Looks like a good time! I love your shirt! Where did you get it?
Tina- that event looks like so much fun! luuurve italian food:) have to ask- where did you buy that really cute green blouse you’re wearing in the pics??!
That sounds like the most wonderful gourmet meal! Love fancy stuff like that. And the home made pasta project — awesome! Hope you’re having lots of fun in NYC.
What a great experience! I hope you feel better soon!
Sorry to hear your are sick, seems to be going around as my little one has a stuffy nose & cough. Those “donuts” look so good!
Looks like fun! I’ve always wanted to make pasta.
A room full of bloggers, hot guys and food – I can just imagine how many pictures were taken
I’m in Paris for the first time ever, and each day I’m buying a whole cheese and eating it plain, by myself… so that parmesan looks right up my alley! And feel better soon!!
That looks like an amazing event!
Looks like your manicure is holding up! You’ll have to let us know what you thought of it after a few weeks.
@Andrea: @Renee: Shirt is from Kmart. Blazer is from The Gap.
glad you were able to enjoy yourself and all the food – you don’t actually LOOK sick.
Wow- my 12 year old self is totally jealous that you were in a room with Dan Cortese. In the early 90s, I thought he was totally dreamy when he was on MTV all the time. PS: Your lunch looks amazing!
you looked beautiful! And I hope you do win a vacation
Very very cool…even sick you look beautiful!
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