A new Kilmarnock restaurant could be the first in Scotland to serve up aardvark.
Indian Accent’s menu features the nocturnal mammal that’s native to Africa on a pizza dish.
The unusual addition features as part of an extensive pizza menu and sits alongside traditional Indian fare.
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The spicy aardvark pizza comes complete with green chillies, spicy chicken, lamb mince and the star ingredient – aardvark.
And the head chef at the eaterie said the thinking behind the new addition was to bring unique flavours to the people of Kilmarnock.
Anser Anton, who has previously worked at the Taj in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, and the Gulab Tandoori in Irvine, North Ayrshire, said the ingredient was pretty rare.
“I wanted to do this because it’s something different and unique,” the 43-year-old cook told the Kilmarnock Standard.
“I wanted to bring unique flavours to the people of Kilmarnock and bring out the different flavours.
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“We could be the first in Scotland with an aardvark pizza, I’m not sure. It’s certainly pretty rare.”
Anser was born in India and comes from a family of chefs and bakers. He’s also spent time cooking in Dubai.
“I was born in the south of India in a region called Kerala,” Anser said.
“All of the big spices and flavours are in that area and I always try to show that in my cooking. I want to give something back to the community in the cooking that I do.
“I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’ll probably die here too, and this means a lot to me.”
The Portland Street eaterie originally opened as Punjab in August 2018 but recently rebranded as Indian Accent.
East Ayrshire Council’s licensing board last week approved the restaurant’s bid to sell alcohol on the premises.
Christina O’Donnell, the owner of the restaurant, said that the rebranding and refurbishment process was stressful but worth it.
“I was extremely pleased when we got our premises licence approved last week,” the 27-year-old said.
“This is my first time managing a restaurant so I’m very excited to get going.
“I’ve managed takeaways before but never a restaurant.”
How did it taste?
Reporter Ross Dunn said: "I was a wee bit apprehensive about trying the aardvark pizza, to be honest.
"Chef Anser bundled some green chillies into the mix to make it extra spicy – and I can’t really handle
hot food.
"I have to admit, you wouldn’t really know the aardvark was there unless you were told about it.
"However, it is very exotic nonetheless."
