Elevate Your Fall Menu: 2023 Fall Food Trends

Add Pumpkin Flavours to your Fall Menu

Pumpkin has become a favourite seasonal ingredient in autumn recipes, making its way into various dishes and drinks. According to Techomic's 2023 insights, there has been a notable increase in the use of pumpkin in Canadian menu dishes over the past two years. Leading this trend are pumpkin lattes, with a remarkable surge of 90.0%, and pumpkin-infused curry dishes, which have seen a significant rise of 40.0%.

Enhancing your beverages with a touch of pumpkin flavour can help your customers embrace the autumn spirit, even if they're not opting for a complete seasonal meal. Consider infusing your hot drinks, such as teas and coffees, with this delightful essence, or craft specialty beverages to enrich your fall menu. For a simple yet enticing option, try transforming your regular latte into a pumpkin spice latte by incorporating some sugar syrup and pumpkin spice.

To infuse your menu with a fresh take on pumpkin flavour, think beyond the realm of sweet beverages, pies, and specialty desserts. Embrace the versatility of pumpkin by incorporating it into savoury dishes as well. Get creative with well-known recipes and give them a seasonal twist. From curries and rice salads to pancakes, frittatas, tarts, rolls, soups, pastas, and even lasagna, there's a multitude of ways to introduce the rich, autumnal essence of pumpkin into your culinary offerings.

Recipe idea – Elevate your autumn pasta dish with the essence of pumpkin as its core flavour. Craft a pumpkin puree and blend it seamlessly into your preferred ricotta-stuffed pasta. Finish with a brown butter and sage sauce, creating a dinner experience that will undoubtedly leave your customers yearning for more.

Offer your customers treats to stay warm as the weather gets colder

As the weather cools down, the craving for hot and comforting beverages rises. Seize this opportunity to expand your menu with a selection of warming drinks. Fall beverages are typically characterized by a delightful blend of warm spices and soothing aromas. Think about introducing offerings like Chai Mocha or Gingerbread Latte to your fall restaurant menu, providing your customers with the perfect treat. Additionally, consider complementing these beverages with seasonal desserts as a special addition to enhance their dining experience.

To keep your customers warm and satisfied during the fall season, consider expanding your menu with a variety of soups. If you're struggling to decide on the right soup ingredients, here's some valuable insight: According to Technomic's 2023 data, there has been a significant 14.3% increase in the inclusion of squash in "soup of the day" appetizers over the past two years. This trend reflects customers' growing inclination towards dishes featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, which holds true for soups as well.

Recipe idea – Diversify your menu by including well-recognized options like Roasted Cauliflower Soup and Lentil Soup. Alternatively, you can explore creative possibilities with offerings such as Spicy Pumpkin Soup, Squash Soup, or the timeless classic, Butternut Squash Soup.

When it comes to crafting fully seasoned broths for plant-based soups, MINOR’S Sautéed Vegetable Base simplifies the process. This product elevates the flavor without the use of artificial additives or preservatives, enriching your dishes with vegetable oils and a natural aroma.

Do not shy away from spices

While looking for new flavours customers often scroll fall restaurant menus searching for spicy dishes or meals with richer taste. An easy way to fulfill that demand is to incorporate fall flavours into your menu by adding some classic fall spices. According to Techomic nutmeg is one of the fastest-growing spices on Canadian menus in 2023 with 44% growth year over year. Spices like nutmeg can be a clue to your fall menu ideas as they can enrich the taste of sweet recipes, as well as savoury ones and even some beverages.

Recipe idea – Nutmeg and Cinnamon Spiced Baked Apples for a comforting, warm, and spiced dessert.

Prepping your food for ‘off-premise’ consumption

The demand for take-out and food delivery is on the rise, especially in Canada. According to the 2023 Food Delivery Statistics in Canada, "Getting food delivered at home has been steadily gaining popularity, with one in five Canadians using a food delivery service at least once a month."

Fall tends to be a busy season for many Canadians. The return to work and studies, coupled with colder weather, keeps people indoors for longer periods during the day. As a result, there's a growing inclination to rely on food delivery apps for a convenient and speedy lunch or dinner option.

A study done by Doordash shows an interesting tendency to order off-premise food: “ In 2021, consumers turn to the convenience of delivery in the days leading up to major holidays that require a lot of cooking.”

The 2023 fall food trends revolve around the inclusion of seasonal ingredients like pumpkins, squash, and apples. This season is also a great time to introduce new warm beverages and spicier dishes. Moreover, it's important to prepare your business for an uptick in off-premise orders.

Being ready to meet your customers' seasonal demands is crucial. Embrace these weather changes as an opportunity to experiment with menu ideas and elevate the variety of dishes you offer to a new level.

The information presented here offers a general industry perspective and may not directly apply to your specific business operations. Consult with the appropriate subject matter experts before making any business decisions.