The fall season technically begins this weekend—but, let's be honest, we've been leaning into the season's cozy, comfort-food vibes for weeks. And with many restaurants and caterers around the country unveiling their fall F&B menus, there's plenty to get excited about in the months ahead.
From a pick-your-own candied apple station and miniature takes on Thanksgiving dinner to a margarita inspired by corn chips and pumpkin spice everything, here are some standouts from the season to inspire your own event catering. Warning: This article will make you hungry.
Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval, a modern Mexican eatery in Tampa, is serving the Caramelized Pumpkin Crema this season. The eye-catching dish is made with pumpkin custard, caramelized pepitas, edible marigolds, and cinnamon ice cream.
Photo: Courtesy of Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval
Burlock Coast, a seafood-centric eatery at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, recently began offering the Pumpkin Runner. Meant to be a twist on the espresso martini—and a nod to the ever-popular pumpkin spice latte—the cocktail is made with Crop Spiced Pumpkin vodka, espresso, and house-made vanilla syrup.
Photo: Courtesy of Burlock Coast
As part of its new fall/winter menu, Toronto's Eatertainment is offering a food station the team describes as "Thanksgiving dinner in a mini meal." The dish features roasted turkey and mashed potato croquettes with cranberry chutney, sourdough stuffing, and roasted root vegetables in thyme butter.
Photo: Courtesy of Eatertainment
Los Angeles-based luxury chocolatier Valerie Confections is selling Pumpkin Petits Fours. The spiced pumpkin cake layered with cream cheese ganache is hand-dipped in white chocolate and finished with golden and orange pearlized sugar. Each 12-piece box sells for $55.
Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Confections
Washington, D.C.-based Ridgewells Catering offers a "choose-your-own candy apple station" perfect for fall events. Hanging baskets hold fresh seasonal fruit above Dutch ovens filled with molten chocolates and caramels, as well as a variety of toppings laid out for guests to choose from. Ridgewells pre-skewers the apples and plants them inside greenery boxes, providing an interactive experience as guests “pick” their apples before dressing them. (See more fall-focused catering ideas on the Ridgewells blog.)
Photo: Laura Gordon Photography
Pasión Miami's seasonal Pumpkin Flan is a custardy pumpkin dessert made with condensed and evaporated milk, eggs, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Photo: Courtesy of Pasión Miami
National catering company Wolfgang Puck Catering is currently serving the Grilled “Ratatouille” Terrine, made with fall flavors like butter beans, salsa verde, aged balsamic, and petite basil.
Photo: Paul de Leon
Another one for pumpkin spice fans? The Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, being served at Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar in Miami.
Photo: Courtesy of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar
As part of its fall menus, Constellation Culinary Group is serving up the Patty Pan Squash Tartine made with homemade goat cheese mousse, sauteed squash roasted with rosemary and garlic, and dry-cured coppa; it's finished with a drizzle of hot honey made with Calabrian chiles. Constellation is also serving fall-centric beverages including cranberry lemonade and a homemade pumpkin spice latte.
Photo: Courtesy of Constellation Culinary Group
Here's a slightly different take on a go-to fall flavor: New York-based Pinch Food Design's fun "corny margarita" made with tequila blanco, corn liquor, lime, and a blue corn "hand" chip on the side.
Photo: Courtesy of Pinch Food Design
Levian Bakery—which has locations throughout New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston—is now offering its limited-time Fall Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald have relaunched the autumnal cookie that debuted last year, which features hints of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and molasses, layered with melty Valrhona chocolate. The cookie is available in all retail bakeries, as well as in four-, eight-, and 12-packs for nationwide shipping. (The cookie can also be found in the bakery's Fall Cookie Assortment pack, which also includes Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, and Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies.)
Photo: Courtesy of Levian Bakery
Atlanta-based event catering company Proof of the Pudding is serving lemon-crusted halibut on roasted root vegetables in a red wine beurre blanc.
Photo: Courtesy of Proof of the Pudding
Another highlight of Proof of the Pudding's fall menu? Port-poached pear, caramelized fig, Frangelico cream, and an almond crisp.
Photo: Courtesy of Proof of the Pudding
Timed to National Negroni Month in September is the Vibrante Negroni Sbagliato, meant to put a mindful twist on the popular cocktail. The recipe includes a kick of citrus from the Martini & Rossi nonalcoholic Vibrante, plus the brand’s low-ABV aperitif, Fiero.
Photo: Courtesy of Martini & Rossi
Available at all 4Rivers Smokehouse locations from Sept. 20 to Nov. 15 is the Pumpkin Bayou Bar. The spiced pecan shortbread is made with pumpkin and cream cheese swirled topping.
Photo: Courtesy of 4Rivers
This season, Bill Hansen Catering is serving seasonal highlights including a squash bisque, field greens, roasted Carolina turkey, lamb leg, pumpkin creme brulee, and a seasonal apple tart (pictured).
Photo: Courtesy of Bill Hansen Catering
