Between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on selected dates, Author Alasdair Scott Sutherland will host an evening of fine Italian food, wine and literature as he tells the story behind his brand new book ‘The Spaghetti Tree: Mario and Franco and the Trattoria Revolution. A book signing and live Q&A session will follow before all attendees enjoy an authentic, two-course Italian dinner for just £8.50.

The Spaghetti Tree is the colourful and untold story of Britain’s growing love affair with Italian food. Before the Trattoria Revolution, many Britons watched the 1957 BBC Panorama April fool story that spaghetti grew on trees and actually believed it. Alasdair’s book charts the Italian invasion of Britain’s food and restaurants, of which Antonio Carluccio, with his TV series, his books, his seminal Neal Street Restaurant, and his eponymous Carluccio’s caffès has been an integral part.

Guests will learn how the popularity of Italian food has spread, from simple trattorias in Soho in the 1960s, through to today when pasta, pancetta, pesto, prosciutto, polenta, pomodoro, pecorino and parmesan can be enjoyed across the country. After which they will have the chance to indulge in a delicious Italian two-course meal with coffee for just £8.50, or add a glass of wine from the carefully selected list, for £11.50.

Starters include a savoury bread tin (focaccia, grissini, Linguarian ciappe and sliced breads served with butter or extra virgin olive oil) or insalata mista (fresh buffalo mozzarella served with wedges of oven-roasted tomato, fresh tomatoes, basil, focaccia bread and black olives, dressed with extra virgin olive oil). To follow, choose any home-cooked pasta dish from the Carluccio’s menu. Favourites include penne giardiniera (Carluccio’s Pugliese penne with courgette, chilli, and deep fried spinach balls with parmesan and garlic) and spaghetti alle vongole in bianco (Neapolitan spaghetti with whole fresh clams, and a white sauce of garlic, herbs and chilli).

Alasdair will be signing copies of The Spaghetti Tree during the evening. The book will be sold at £14.99 and is available from all Carluccio’s stores and online at www.thespaghettitree.co.uk. For details of events at other caffés please visit www.carluccios.com or www.thespaghettitree.co.uk.