The Pesto that Built Azzip: A Flavor Story

When it comes to Azzip, the magic begins with our sauces. We believe that every ingredient should be an invitation to Create Something Delicious. That philosophy led us straight to our Azzip Pesto, crafted meticulously by Chef Blake in his own home kitchen, blending fresh, unexpected flavors into a sauce that’s as original as Azzip itself.

The journey to this unique pesto was all about taking the familiar and pushing it to a place you haven’t tasted before. Starting with the classic trio of basil, olive oil, and garlic, Chef Blake put his unique spin on a traditional recipe to create something you simply can’t find anywhere else. To make it accessible to all, we left out common allergens like pine nuts and Parmesan, a move that opened the door to new flavors and an extra punch of creativity. We wanted to give it a little edge, so red pepper flakes joined the mix, adding a kick of heat that balances the basil’s natural sweetness.

Chef Blake then looked to Italy for inspiration to make the pesto unmistakably pizza-friendly. He layered in parsley, oregano, and thyme for a depth that complements everything it touches. And the result? A pesto sauce so well-rounded and harmonious that people were already asking us to bottle it before Azzip even opened its doors.

The interest was so strong that we even took it to Purdue’s Food Science Lab to explore bottling and shelf stability. The result was not just a sauce but the foundation of Azzip’s signature taste, a cornerstone of flavor that defines what we’re all about. Today, it’s woven into seven different elements of our menu, from marinating our house-roasted chicken to our “secret” ingredient in our pizza crust. It’s our flavor MVP, helping us carve out a distinct spot in the pizza world.

And it’s a labor of love, made daily by our team in the stores to ensure each batch is fresh, bright, and bursting with flavor. Since opening, we’ve crafted nearly 25,000 gallons of pesto—enough to fill a backyard pool! Each batch is made with the same care and commitment to quality that Chef Blake put into the very first one, back in his home kitchen.

So, the next time you dive into our T-Rab Special or the Italian Stallion, take a moment to appreciate the pesto that makes Azzip’s flavor unforgettable. And give a nod to Chef Blake—his creativity and passion are blended into every bite.