The beginning of fall marks the start of cooler-yet-cozy weather, beautiful autumn colours, and of course, scrumptious, catered comfort foods! Pandemic or not, these 2021 fall catering food trends are coming for us all, and that’s a great thing! I don’t know about you, but for me, fall marks that time of the season where families gather and reconnect all while enjoying some of the years’ greatest feasts. Colourful, overly-filling, and flat-out delicious – this is the time of year foodies live for!
Toronto’s top caterers have constructed their latest and greatest eye-catching creations and have sent them along so we can share them with you, our loyal readers. We think you’re going to love what’s in store! We dubbed these selections the “end-all, be (f)all” for 2021.
Braised Beef Short Rib
This dish is our most popular one and is made with carrot, du puy lentil ragu, cipollini onion, and wilted swiss chard. Not only are the flavours rich and decadent, the colours of this dish really represent the fall season. I can almost guarantee that this dish is on every wedding menu!
Cauliflower and Root Vegetable Tajine
This dish incorporates classic Moroccan flavours in a hearty, plant-based dish. Made from the bounty of the fall harvest, this tajine creates another delicious option for plant-forward and sustainable menus. Moreover, balancing sweetness and spice- this rich and flavourful dish is perfect for the cooler autumn months.
Canadian AAA Fat-Cut Beef Short Ribs
rubbed with ginger spice, garlic, and lemongrass, all slowly braised for hours in our in-house organic beef stock plus dry red wine with Chef Glen’s ‘Secret Stuff’, and served on creamy garlic mash.
I love this dish especially for the Fall Season as with each delicious bite there is this feeling of calm, comfort and warmth. Overall, we put a lot of love and time into this dish and with each bite- you’re sure to experience it.
Autumn Baby Spinach Salad
with maple dijon roasted butternut squash, balsamic rosemary roasted peach, figs, cranberry, beef prosciutto, and ranch dressing.
With the fall season upon us, here at Apex Kosher Catering we have the perfect dish that brings the taste of fall to life. One of our signature and popular fall menu item is our Autumn Baby Spinach Salad with Maple Dijon Roasted Butternut Squash, Balsamic Rosemary Roasted Peach, Figs, Cranberry, Beef Prosciutto, and Ranch Dressing. In addition, this salad is a very popular item because of the rich fall tastes expressed through the flavours of maple and balsamic but is also very filling with items such as the squash and figs. It is a perfect blend that will have you wanting to eat it all year round!
Sunday Short Rib
After what felt like a never-ending period of social isolation, spending time with family and friends is a top priority. What better way to spend time together than sharing a family-style meal featuring comfort food. As we head into the colder weather, our menu will focus on slow braising and using seasonal and local ingredients to create unforgettable spreads. From our famous Thanksgiving Festive Turkey Feast to the delicious Sunday Short Rib dinner pictured here, we’ll be serving up some of the finest comfort food Toronto has to offer. Not to mention, we’re cooking with more love and appreciation for social gatherings than ever before, and that only makes the food taste even better!
Cider-Brined Cornish Hen
with brioche & sausage stuffing, drizzled with cranberry bourbon jus and served with buttery French green beans.
We think we can all agree that Fall is the start of comfort food season, and what's more comforting than a burst of familiar thanksgiving flavours that we all know and love. Not to mention the bright colours of this dish reminding us of all the beautiful autumnal colours of this season!
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Lollipop
The dish has a delicious taste with its breathtaking, vibrant, fall-themed colours. The sauces are delicate and are made with our homemade pomegranate and balsamic glaze giving a unique flavour of sweet yet sour taste that explodes in the mouth.
Cereal Milk Crème Brûlée
with ricotta zeppole & a wild Ontario blueberry jam injectable.
We love this dish because it captures the essence of nostalgia and childhood with modern techniques. It preserves some of the bounties from Ontario’s local produce that we were able to preserve over the late summer. This dessert is fun, delicious and has an incredible wow factor when served at events.
Pancetta and Butternut Squash Ricotta Bowl
This appetizer is great for Fall entertaining. This is one of our favourite dishes for the Autumn season and utilizes a great variety of local goods. The foundation is fresh ricotta whipped with extra virgin olive oil and heavy cream resulting in a light and fluffy texture, which is then piped into a bowl. Topped with crispy fried pancetta to give it a savory saltiness and open up your taste buds. Roasted butternut squash and maple roasted pecans are added for a sweet and buttery counterbalance to the pancetta. Drizzled with aged balsamic reduction to bring all the ingredients together.
Miso Black Cod
with kimchi vegetable fried rice, miso butter, heirloom slaw & puffed brown rice.
There's a lot of different textures in this dish: from the buttery fish to the crunchy texture to the fresh autumn vegetable harvest in the slaw. The umami flavour in our miso butter sauce combines with the bold flavours in the kimchi fried rice to create an unforgettable fragrance of decadence making this the perfect dish for your fall events!
Vegan Bolognese Pasta
chickpea bolognese sauce served on a bed of zucchini “noodles.”
This season, as the weather starts to cool, we find ourselves craving warmer, spicier and richer flavours, colours and textures. Packed with all the rich, slow-cooked flavour of our traditional turkey or beef versions, the use of chickpeas provides that satisfying bite you expect from a really good bolognese sauce! While this sauce can also be enjoyed served over our handmade spaghetti, the use of spiralized zucchini elevates the dish, making it more veggie-forward and therefore higher in nutrients and fibre. Food tells a story. As a chef, you have to pay attention to the environment around you and the needs of your customers. Finding ways to provide delicious, crave-worthy food to our guests without leaning on the old go-to’s like butter, cream, gluten, and animal fat – that is a new challenge for our industry, one that I am really excited by!
Fall Pumpkin Tart
Pumpkin-based desserts are a staple on every family’s table during the fall season. Inspired by my mother’s Pumpkin Pie growing up, our Fall Pumpkin Tart is held together with a ginger snap crust and topped with chantilly cream. With a base of pumpkin puree and classic accents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger, this is the perfect dessert pairing for any fall menu. Gather with your family in the comfort of your home and indulge while enjoying a traditional fall dessert.
Mini Grilled Cheese on Brioche
 with aged white cheddar, creamy brie, and jalapeño balsamic jam.
An elevated classic, guests want to feel a connection to the feeling of 'normal’ (pre-pandemic). For instance, anything that reminds them of what it used to be like. It's the perfect pairing of normalcy and comfort during this fall season!
Will any of you be trying any of these 2021 fall catering food trends listed above? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Happy fall everyone!Â
