Piccolino’s Knutsford and Wilmslow restaurants have added the new dish as part of a summer menu launch, following a creative workshop with pupils from Bexton Primary School in Knutsford and Gorsey Bank Primary School in Wilmslow.
The Italian Otto Special Spaghetti, created by year five pupils from Bexton Primary, is now featured on the Knutsford children’s menu, while the Chicken Penne Primavera, designed by year three pupils from Gorsey Bank Primary, is available in Wilmslow.
Both dishes are part of a wider initiative by Piccolino to involve young diners in the restaurant experience.
Mark Window, head of food development at Individual Restaurant Group, said: “We’re pleased to introduce the brand-new dish creations from primary schools in our Cheshire Piccolino restaurants.
“Not only was it important to produce nutritional pasta dishes, but educating the children on Italian cuisine and authentic ingredients added another element to really immerse them in the Piccolino brand.”
As part of the project, the children visited their local Piccolino restaurant and took part in a hands-on workshop to learn about Italian cuisine and ingredients.
The pupils were invited to choose a pasta type, sauce, meat, and vegetables to create their own signature dish, and were introduced to traditional Italian foods such as salami and mozzarella, along with stories about their origins.
After tasting and selecting ingredients, the children worked in groups to finalise their recipes.
Each restaurant’s head chef then selected the top two dishes and prepared them for the children to taste before voting for their favourite.
The children worked in groups to finalise their recipes (Image: Supplied) The winning dishes now feature on the children’s menu, which are available at all Piccolino locations from July 25.
As a further creative challenge, the pupils were also invited to design the new children’s menu for their nearest restaurant.
The winning designs will be printed and used in each of the three participating restaurants throughout the summer holidays.
Mr Window said welcoming the wider community to try the new dishes would be a highlight of the season.
He said: “Welcoming friends and family along with locals to the restaurant to try the dishes will be a pleasure, and we can’t wait to share our love for Italian cuisine with the community.”
Piccolino will also continue its ‘Kids Eat for £1’ offer during the summer.
Dining and Cooking