Nationwide restaurant chain ASK Italian has launched their Autumn menu across all sites this week, which includes an eye-catching new food trend. As the first UK restaurant chain to offer Purple Basil Pesto, ASK Italian has brought two new additions to their menu adorned with the autumnal colour; Garlic Bread Speciale with Purple Basil Pesto and Purple Basil Pesto Genovese fresh pasta.

Driving the trend for Purple Basil Pesto, it has a punchier flavour and a more striking look compared to its green counterpart. Working closely with a small, family-run farm in the Verona countryside, the restaurant chain is producing over 3 tonnes of Purple Basil Pesto to incorporate into their new Autumn menu.

The food team at ASK Italian have experimented with the nation’s most loved dishes on the menu to add a colourful twist to their Garlic Bread Speciale, and the Italian classic Genovese fresh pasta dish. Customers who order one of the Purple Basil Pesto dishes to eat-in will receive a complimentary packet of Grow-Your-Own Purple Basil Seeds to take home. Those feeling inspired after their meal, can support the food trend by growing their very own Purple Basil plant from a windowsill or adding a ‘Purple Patch’ to an indoor herb garden.

Head of Food at ASK Italian, Jeena Rodrigues, says: “We’re always looking for ways to elevate our most loved dishes, and Purple Basil Pesto is the perfect combination of classic Italian flavours and Instagram-worthy presentation. Working with the farmers in Verona, we’re able to give the beautiful herb the close care and attention that it requires for high qualityproduction.”

The Autumn menu is available in all sites across the UK now, and alongside the new Purple Basil Pesto dishes includes; autumnal Pumpkin Arancini, mouth-watering Spinach & Ricotta Girasole and for those with a sweet-tooth a delicious Yoghurt Panna Cotta topped with a seasonal edible flower.

For a full list of ASK Italian restaurants please visit www.askitalian.co.uk/locations