New research from Italian pasta maker Barilla reveals that this Valentine’s Day, Aussies are turning to the kitchen to express their love and appreciation. As the saying goes, “the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach,” and this year, food is taking centre stage in how Aussies celebrate the most romantic day of the year. Whether it’s cooking for a partner, friends, or even yourself, food has become an essential ingredient in creating memories.
Food is the ultimate love language
It’s no surprise that two thirds (64%) of Aussies say they celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing a meal—whether at home or at a restaurant. In fact, 64% of respondents prefer sharing a meal as their go-to way to express and celebrate love in their daily lives, showing that food is not only the way to their hearts on Valentine’s Day, but all year round. From a quiet dinner at home to a celebration with friends, food is the ultimate expression of love.
For many, the most heartfelt way to show love is through acts of service, with over a quarter (28%) using food to create memorable experiences. And with nearly half (49%) of people saying food is how they demonstrate care—especially through cooking for others—it’s clear that a delicious home-cooked meal is a ritual that brings people closer.
Love in all forms
Valentine’s Day is not just for couples—it’s a celebration of all kinds of love. In fact, over 1 in 3 (38%) Aussies celebrate with friends, and 30% celebrate the day on their own. Whether it’s cooking a favourite dish for family, gathering around a table with friends, or treating yourself to a comforting self-love meal, food is the thread that ties everything together.
As the meaning of Valentine’s Day evolves, Barilla encourages people to celebrate together all shapes of love, over a shared meal.
Love on the menu
When it comes to what’s being dished up for Valentine’s Day, Italian is the go-to choice for Australian lovers, with a third (36%) indulging in the comfort of the cuisine, and pasta is leading the way as the dish of choice. In fact, a fifth (22%) of Australians say they’re most likely to cook pasta for a romantic dinner, making it the ideal choice to share with someone special. Whether it’s a comforting spaghetti bolognese, a creamy pesto pasta, or a hearty lasagna, pasta is the definition of romance for Aussies.
“Food has an undeniable ability to bring people together, and pasta, in particular, has this magic that makes meals feel both familiar and special,” says Mette Jorgensen, Brand Manager at Barilla Australia and New Zealand.
“Whether you’re cooking for your partner, friends, or even yourself, pasta is a dish that’s easy to personalise, making it the perfect way to show your love. That’s why Barilla is excited to be bringing back our Valentine’s Day limited-edition heart-shaped pasta that fuses two hearts together into one”, Mette adds.
Barilla invites all romantics and pasta enthusiasts to bring this celebration of love to life by purchasing the limited-edition heart-shaped pasta from Coles nationwide, available while stocks last (RRP: AUD$4.90). The pasta symbolises love and connection, making it the perfect ingredient to celebrate all relationships this Valentine’s Day.
If you want to show your loved ones you care this Valentine’s Day, why not serve up a delicious Pasta alla Amore (Pasta of Love) dish. Find inspiration on the Barilla website: https://www.barilla.com/en-au.
Barilla launches Limited-Edition Heart-shaped Pasta to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You can purchase from 28 January 2025 from Coles nationwide.
About Barilla
Barilla is a family business, founded in Parma in 1877. Today, it is renowned in Italy and around theworld for the excellence of its food products advocating tasty, hearty, and wholesome nutrition, inspired by the Mediterranean Diet and the Italian lifestyle. The company’s commitment is to offer people the joy that good, well-made food can bring them, produced with selected ingredients from responsible supply chains, to contribute to a better present and future. Overall, Barilla’s brand role is to elevate the everyday through surprising acts of love for life, always with a touch of Italian inventiveness. Barilla wants to spread a new way of enjoying pasta, calling it “a sign of love”.
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