There’s a chill in the air and we’ve found ourselves putting the heating on for the first time since the beginning of the year, which can only mean one thing; it’s officially autumn! For cafe owners, this also means it’s time to throw out your summer menu in favour of hearty meals that warm your diners and leave them wanting to curl up in your cosy cafe all day.
Where possible, you should try to incorporate seasonal produce in your new menu. By doing so, you’ll support local businesses, reduce your carbon footprint and give your diners a reason to come back! Butternut squash, carrots, wild mushrooms, pumpkin and chestnuts are all examples of delicious seasonal ingredients to inspire your new dishes.
Butternut squash soup
There’s nothing better than warming your hands with a steaming bowl of soup when it’s cold outside! Adding butternut squash soup to your cafe menu is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of autumn and to tantalise your diners’ taste buds. Turn this dish from a light lunch into a stomach-filling meal with a sprinkling of creamy feta cheese and slices of thick white bread. You could also make this dish dairy-free quickly and easily to appease your vegan diners!
Baked camembert
Baked camembert is an autumnal favourite – and for good reason, too! Creamy, filling and oh-so-decadent, baked camembert is sure to keep your diners coming back for more. This dish is best accompanied by crusty bread, but we’d recommend slavering it with garlic butter before serving. This adds a whole new dimension to the meal!
Vegetarian curry
One of the tastiest ways to take advantage of all the seasonal vegetables available this year is to chop, fry and season them in an aromatic vegetarian curry. Vegetarian curries are always a favourite amongst diners and they allow you to really experiment with flavour. From pumpkins to carrots and squash vegetables, there are lots of wonderful flavours to incorporate into this dish. Serve with a dollop of natural yoghurt and some fragranced rice for extra oomph.
Keep your cafe diners happy and healthy this autumn with help from Freshways. We’re proud to be the UK’s favourite wholesale food suppliers with a range of dairy products, baked goods, fresh juices and much more from leading brands. We’re the UK’s largest independent processing dairy, so you can rely on us for all your wholesale milk, yoghurt and cheese needs. Contact us today to make your first order.