While text messages and emails have become communication commonplace, it seems we've lost the ability to truly connect with our significant other. According to new data from the "Bertolli Romance Report," 8 in 10 people say that sharing a meal plays a primary role in connecting with their partner. In a world where work comes first and a good night's sleep is optimistic, preparing a home-cooked meal seems impossible -- something reserved just for Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve; the iconic occasions for romance. Along with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, Bertolli wants to show how the ritual of enjoying a great meal at home -- one of our simplest and greatest pleasures -- can be done quickly and easily, leaving you more time to spend with each other.


Through a new campaign, Bertolli Nights In, the maker of restaurant- quality frozen skillet dinners for two is looking to capture stories of romantic nights in and will film one of them for the big screen. The cornerstone of the campaign is the "Dinner and Your Movie" contest. Through the BertolliNightsIn.com website, Bertolli and DiSpirito are calling for people to send in videos about their ingredients for a romantic night in. The winner's story will be made into a short movie, complete with a movie theater premiere. Also capturing stories will be the "Bertolli Nights In Studio," a video recording booth making stops at big-city locations around the country where people can record their story on the spot. The "Bertolli Nights In Studio" will be on location in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Las Vegas.


The "Bertolli Romance Report," a new, in-depth survey of couples conducted by TSC, a division of Yankelovich, found that the vast majority of Americans (84%) agree that there is nothing better than connecting with your significant other over a meal. It further affirms that the personal touch has been "deleted" from our daily lives.


"Our survey revealed that some couples have lost the relationship spark because they are not spending enough quality time together," said Brian Manning, Senior Marketing Director for Bertolli. "Spending a night in with a home cooked meal is a great way to bring back the romance. It doesn't need to be intimidating, complicated or preparation-intensive -- but can be done quickly and easily so that you can enjoy what really matters: the company."


The survey, conducted in conjunction with noted relationship guru Logan Levkoff, who has performed extensive research in the area of relationships, polled 1,000 people who have significant others about their lack of interpersonal connection. The research looked at the distance between couples as it relates to the clutter in our everyday lives and found:


-- American couples confess they are not spending enough time together:
almost three-quarters (71%) wish they had more time to spend with their
significant other.
-- Three-quarters (76%) of American couples wish that they could add more
romance to their relationship.
-- Similarly, two-thirds (64%) of American couples agree that eating meals
at home promotes intimacy more than eating out.



With its Mediterranean Style and Classic lines of frozen dinners for two, Bertolli wants to inspire people to reconnect with their significant other over a simply delicious restaurant-quality Italian dinner at home. Prepared with wholesome, fresh-tasting ingredients, each Bertolli dinner variety captures the essence of authentic cuisine from Italy. "Food helps us relax, unwind and serves as the center for reconnections with our significant others," said DiSpirito. "I have always been a firm believer that cooking for someone is the most generous thing you can do, not to mention the most romantic."