Beyond the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)

What’s En Vogue for Fall

Is it fall or is it winter? As we write this, we can’t quite tell by the weather, and if Mother Nature has decided to skip right over this lovely time of year. Nonetheless, fall is our perfect excuse for comfort food and all-things autumn-esque.

If you’re planning a corporate event or party, Beth Bach, sales director, has some creative ideas for you.

“Consider a full espresso bar at your event,” she said. “We work with Old World Coffee, and they bring expert baristas to your event, and can help your crowd get their fill of a sophisticated take on seasonal warm drinks.”

“The days are getting shorter, and while we still have some decently warm weather on the horizon, consider getting your friends together for a backyard movie night. Keep the food fun and simple with a popcorn or pretzel bar. Finish the night off with some s’mores by the fire.” (BTW, Roundabout would love to help with a good hot cocoa and cider bar with lots of fun toppings!)

Beth encourages party hosts to embrace the season. “Fall makes it easy for décor,” she said. “Adding leaves, gourds and pumpkins can be a low cost way to decorate your space. Keep things modern by sticking to a single color pumpkin like all-white to keep it from looking hokey. You can also paint your pumpkins varying tones of one color to create a gorgeous ombré effect.”

We just had to ask our expert pastry chef, Camille Malmquist, about the “it” desserts for fall. “Homey, warm-spiced desserts are perennial favorites for fall – think apple crisp, pear-almond tarts, or pumpkin cake,” she said. “I love working with fresh, seasonal produce no matter what time of year it is, but fall definitely gets me in the mood for comfort food classics like these. The pears are perfection right now, and the apples and winter squashes are just around the corner. I also love how crunchy nuts add richness and textural contrast to desserts – hazelnuts are my favorite!”

Of course, Chef Colin loves to put fun, inspiring twists on cuisine. We asked him to go beyond the pumpkin spice latte. He says, “Give it a new spin with three delicious dessert alternatives – try a pumpkin crème brûlée, sip on a pumpkin ricotta martini with white chocolate spiced truffle (olive) or make a delicious pumpkin-spice lava cake.” (Hint, hint – you can bid on this at the upcoming Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northern Nevada, Big Chefs, Big Gala event!).

And for a preview of Chef Colin’s thinking on cuisine for this year’s season, he says, “Korean-inspired dishes and poke. I am planning on combining them in a new dish for the restaurant. It will be a charred Korean tuna poke bowl.”

“The fall will also bring celery root, parsnips, beets, bitter greens and leeks into the mix, “ said Chef Colin. “I will be using more artichokes, seeds and nuts into dishes.”

There’s so much to look forward to this season, and the weather better cooperate. Delve into everything delicious, and make a to-do list of all the things you want to remember to try because the season will surely go by in a (ginger) snap.

Need a little help with catering and party rentals? Give Roundabout Catering & Party Rentals a call at 775-851-2091. Located in Sparks, Nev., Roundabout Catering & Party Rentals serves Reno, Tahoe and surrounding areas.