Published On: 14 June 2022Categories: Blog6.9 min read

Esher is a beautiful town in Surrey that is perfect for hosting autumn events. The leaves change colour, the air turns crisp, and the pumpkin spice lattes start flowing. If you’re looking to throw an unforgettable autumn event, look no further!

In this blog post, we will discuss some of our top catering suggestions for Esher autumn events. From seasonal food choices to formal menu options, we have you covered. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What’s The Plan?

One of the first things you’ll need to decide on is what type of event you’re throwing. Is it a casual get-together with friends or a more formal affair? Once you’ve decided that, you can start planning the menu.

If you’re looking for something casual, why not try an autumn-themed potluck? Guests can bring their favourite autumn dish to share, and you can provide the drinks. It’s a great way of getting everyone involved and trying new cuisine.

For a more formal event, you’ll want to consider hiring a professional caterer.

Vanilla Bean Catering is a great option for Esher autumn events. We offer bespoke, seasonal menus with all of your favourite autumnal flavours. From roasted squash soup to pumpkin spice cupcakes, we have something for everyone. Plus, our amazing team will take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your event.

Seasonal Produce

Picking the right menu items is essential for any event, but it’s especially important at this time of year. Buying certain foods at the right time will not only lower the cost, but it will taste so much better! Take advantage of that and allow us to use our expertise and hand-pick the most delicious ingredients.

Here are some of our favourite seasonal ingredients for Esher autumn menus:

– Pumpkins

– Squash

– Apples

– Pears

– Cranberries

– Sweet potatoes

– Maple syrup

– Honey

There are endless possibilities when it comes to incorporating these ingredients into your menu. You could serve a roasted squash soup as a starter, followed by honey and cranberry glazed pork chops for the main course. For dessert, how about apple crumble with vanilla bean ice cream? (See what we did there…?)

Formal or Fun?

As we mentioned before, one of the first things you’ll need to decide on is the tone of your event. Do you want it to be formal or fun? If you’re not sure, here are some things to consider:

  • The guest list – who will be attending your event?
  • The location – will it be held at a venue with its own atmosphere? We have some amazing venues to choose from.
  • The purpose – is this event for business networking or celebrating a special occasion?

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a better idea of what kind of menu you might be looking at. It should reflect the feel of the night and ensure every detail is cohesive. 

If you’re still not sure, why not try a mix of both? A formal dinner followed by dancing and live music is always a hit. Or, for something different, how about an autumn-themed cocktail party? We can create bespoke cocktails using seasonal fruits and juices. (we also offer non-alcoholic options!)

Cosy Foods

All of the light summer foods are redundant in Autumn. Instead, you’re going to need some warming, hearty options. This is the time of year for comfort food, and even at the most formal of events – it will be appreciated by your guests!

Here are some of our top picks:

Roasted squash soup

A beautiful starter to warm everyone up after a potentially chilly, wet arrival. You can’t go wrong with a soup and with so many amazing vegetables ready to take advantage of in this season – you’ve got your pick of the bunch.

You could stick to a traditional tomato soup if squash doesn’t take your fancy. Otherwise, leek and potato are always a family favourite. Don’t forget though – when you work with Vanilla Bean catering, you’ll always get more than you bargained for! It won’t be ‘just a soup’…

Chicken and bacon pie

This hearty, homely meal is perfect for an Esher Autumn Event. Using a light pastry or even creating a deconstructed version for your event will ensure it’s nothing too heavy. We don’t want to weigh the guests down before dancing or cocktails!

Again, you could pick any of your favourite combinations for this dish and make some vegetarian-friendly alternatives too.

Crab Bisque

A more formal alternative to traditional soups, this creamy dish is perfect for seafood lovers. It’s a vibrant and colourful bowl that promises to make a real impression. If you want something a little different on your catering menu – this could be the way to go.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking. They are fantastic options to get people in the mood and you can complement these with your favourite desserts and seasonal accompaniments. Think of it as part of your theme – everything will work well together this way.

If you need help creating the perfect Esher autumn menu, Vanilla Bean Catering is here to help! We’ll work with you to create a menu that is perfect for your event.

Got A Sweet Tooth?

We are yet to cater an event where guests weren’t seriously excited about the sweet treats on offer. The brilliant thing about Autumn is having a new variety of spices and flavours to play with.

We can help you create some amazing seasonal desserts that will top off the night perfectly. Here are just a few simple but effective favourites we can spice up (literally) and turn into a brand new creation.

  • Seasonal fruit crumble

A classic autumn dessert that can be enjoyed by everyone. We like to serve ours with a generous scoop of liquor ice cream! You can have your pick of plenty of gorgeous fruits such as:

Rhubarb

Blackberries

Apples

Raspberries

Strawberries

Any combination is sure to warm up your guests and get them in the mood for autumn in Esher!

  • Pumpkin spice cupcakes or cookies

These little indulgences are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or after-dinner treat. They’re light and fluffy with a hint of warming spices – what’s not to love? We’ll decorate them with the quirky touch of Vanilla Bean Catering and they’ll be the talk of the event!

  • Baked cheesecake

A rich and creamy dessert, this is the perfect way to end a meal. We can bake ours with a seasonal twist or incorporate your favourite boozy tipples!

Sneak Peak

Still unsure what you’re in for this season? Get a taste for it with our sample menu and contact us to learn more about what’s on offer!

CANAPÉS

“Crispy Starfish” – Salmon fishcake, lemon pepper mayo and pickled pearl onion

“Pea” – Pea tartlet, pea puree, fresh peas, mint oil

“Cheesy Chips” – Triple cooked chips, rosemary salt and baked camembert

Pulled ham hock croquettes, piccalilli fluid gel

DINNER MENU

STARTER

Sweet cured trout, avocado mousse, charred spring onion, lime gel. pickled green chillies and coriander

MAIN COURSE

Salt Marsh rump of lamb, thyme potato gratin, podded legumes, redcurrant jus  

DESSERT

Chilled chocolate fondant, salted butter caramel, toasted hazelnuts

Esher Autumn Event With Vanilla Bean

These are just some of our favourite ideas for an Esher Autumn Event. If you’re stuck for inspiration or need help putting together the perfect menu – get in touch with Vanilla Bean Catering today! We would be more than happy to help make your event one to remember.

It’s the time of year when warm and homely are key. We can take this idea and transform it into a professional, outstanding catering menu to wow your guests and perfectly mirror the occasion.

We’ll take all of the hard work out of it and give you the chance to sit back and enjoy it like everybody else. At Vanilla Bean we work with local suppliers to provide you with the very freshest, seasonal ingredients and create stunning dishes to accompany any event. Working closely with you, we can personalise your menu to make it stand out from the crowd without you having to lift a finger.

Get in touch today to avoid disappointment!