Skip to content
wild garlic picking

Wild garlic pesto

One of our favourite things about spring is wild garlic. Each March our pizzaioli from all over the country and our central support team go to Dorset to forage for this fresh and fragrant ingredient, ready to star on our spring menu.

Hand picked & homemade

Wild garlic, also know as ransoms and bears leaks, is perfect for picking this time of year, right before the flowers bloom. It’s delicious and punchy in salads and soups, but we like it best in our wild garlic pesto – which just happens to make a fantastic pizza topping.

We decided to make things interesting by turning the day into a competition: whoever picks the most, wins. Cambridge head pizzaiolo Roberto scooped the prize, harvesting 21kg and winning a bottle of bubbles and meal out for himself and a guest.

405kg of wild garlic later, we headed back to our kitchens to prepare our pesto.

You can try our wild garlic pesto on our new No.7 pizza – created by our head pizzaiolo, Alfonso Marseglia. It features spicy lamb sausage from the Yorkshire Dales, tomatoes from Gragnano, roasted aubergine, mozzarella, and of course, wild garlic pesto.

The new No.7 is available in all of our pizzerias from April 30th for £9.

Still hungry? Go for seconds.

  • Stories

Sorry, Mum!

It's time to Franco Manca and make up this Mother's Day!

  • Stories

FRANCO GOES DOG FRIENDLY!

Great news for all dog lovers! Franco Manca is now welcoming well-behaved pet dogs inside our restaurants (except Stratford and Trafford Centre). Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or a long lunch, your furry friends are invited to join you in our designated dog-friendly areas.

Margs X Margs
  • Stories

Margs X Margs

Margaritas have landed at Franco Manca in time for National Margarita Day!

Bringing Napoli eating culture. Closer to you.

Find a pizzeria near you. Then eat your crusts.

Give the gift of pizza

E-gift cards now available 🍕E-gift cards now available 🍕