Pesto Trafford Centre is marking a significant milestone this March as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The Italian restaurant has catered for a staggering 1.9 million diners since opening its doors in Intu Trafford Centre in March 2007.

Customers visiting the restaurant located on Great Hall, have devoured a whopping five million dishes, 200,000 pints of beer and over a quarter of a million glasses of wine over the last decade.

Topping the list of favourite dishes is the Pane al formaggio with over 350 of the homemade cheese and garlic breads sold a week, the Polpette di manzo, spicy beef meatballs in a tasty tomato and garlic sauce, selling over 600 a week, and Pesto’s popular marinated chicken skewers, Spiedini di pollo, selling over 360 dishes a week.

Italian classic, Pizza pepperoni is also a popular plate, with 450 of the pizzas handmade in the kitchen every week.

The cocktail menu has also proven popular with customers, with over 75,000 drinks shaken and stirred over the 10 years. Cocktails Lecca Lecca and Porn Star Martini top the list as the most ordered mixtures.

Speaking of the restaurant’s birthday, Pesto co-founder Sara Edwards said: “We’re really pleased to be celebrating this major milestone with Pesto at the Trafford Centre.

“When we opened the doors back in March 2007 it was hard to imagine how the next 10 years might look. That moment feels like only yesterday. We’re thrilled to have built such a loyal following at the Great Hall site and are looking forward to another exciting year ahead.”

Pesto at the Trafford Centre welcomes on average 4,000 customers a week to the 269 cover restaurant, many of whom are regular visitors. The restaurant is also a favourite of some of Manchester’s most popular faces with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Manchester United’s David De Gea and a whole host of past and present Coronation Street stars amongst its customers.

Sharing in the restaurant’s celebrations is Joanna Lebek, a founding member of the Pesto Trafford Centre team. “It’s great to be sharing in Pesto’s 10th birthday celebrations,’ said Joanna. “We’ve gone from strength to strength over the years, both as a company and as a team, and shared some very special moments with our customers, including countless marriage proposals.

“Two of our very own team tied the knot further to meeting at Pesto Trafford Centre. We’re looking forward to raising a glass to the special anniversary occasion and many more prosperous years.”