Autumn Food Trends: UK Seasonal Menus 2023

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Hi, again, back with Day 2 of Blogtober!

With Autumn fully making itself known here in the UK – the constant drizzle and early sunsets – it is about that time that all the big retailers launched their seasonal menus. Perhaps I’ve been living under a rock recently but I’ve noticed that this year I’ve not been bombarded by the usual pumpkin spice latte adverts which inspired me to do some research and see what’s new to try this autumn.

Now that I’ve spent time scrolling away, it’d be a shame not to share all the sweet treats and savory bites, wouldn’t it? I’m only going to discuss food today as next Saturdays post is going to be drinks related.

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Greggs

Kicking it off, in no particular order is the new items available at Greggs. I’m aware that Greggs might not be universal knowledge. So let me state here, in case you haven’t seen my about page, I am from the UK – so this will be about the seasonal menus here in the UK!

Breakfast

• Vegan Bacon Breakfast Roll

I’m a bit skeptical about this, as someone who has been making their diet more plant based I am yet to find a vegan bacon that doesn’t make me want to vom. I’ve almost tried this a few times now and talked myself out of it each time. Will I bite the bullet and try it? Will the vegan bacon texture make me vomit? Who knows. I’m still undecided.

• Vegan Sausage Breakfast Roll

This I have tried and it’s stunning. 10/10 would recommend. Vegan sausages are all generally quite nice, some brands are better than others but Greggs hit the mark with this one.

• Hash Brown (2 Pack)

From what I can see this isn’t available nationwide but is available in about 600 stores. I’ve not yet tried them but how wrong can you go with hash browns, aye?

Lunch & Snacks

• Roast Chicken & Stuffing Baguette

This doesn’t make me think of autumn sadly, reminds me more of what I might have for lunch on boxing day.

• Sticky Toffee Muffin

Dying to try this – fingers crossed I find this in Greggs the next time I visit! What a fab idea. A sticky toffee muffin with a latte? mmm, yes please.

• Spicy Chicken and Red Pepper Soup

Right, I’m going to level with you all. I, Emily, am not a fan of soups. Phew, there I said it. They smell gorgeous and seem like the perfect autumn meal but warm liquid? Not for me. I can’t help but see tomato soup as hot ketchup in a bowl, you know?

A few friends have recommended that I try more chunkier soups which this one seems to be. The description on the Greggs website is persuasive.

Costa

Next up, is Costa with all the best seasonal sweet treats.

Snacks

• Vegan Gingerbread Latter Cookie

This is a crunchy cookie with white icing drizzle, perfect for a lunch time snack and I bet partners nicely with a fancy latte.

• Gingerbread Muffin

That comes with a mini gingerbread man! The perfect flavour for Autumn.

• Terry’s Chocolate Brownie

• Mallow Pumpkin Shortcake

A shortcake biscuit base topped with mallow and an iced pumpkin face.

• Vegan walking vampire gingerbread

• Golden Caramel & Chocolate Cake

• Double Chocolate Torte

• Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake and Apple & Caramel Loaf Cake

I think Costa is going to be seeing me a lot in the next few weeks because all of these sound amazing.

Lunch

• British chicken and mushroom toastie

Pret

Pret has chosen the opposite approach to Costa and has added only hot savory food items for Autumn 2021. Although, I think that this was the menu I was most dissapointed by – none of the food made me think of Autumn or Halloween.

But I’m sure that all of these are super tasty:

• Chicken & Chilli Burrito
• Chicken pot pie soup
• Naked Chicken Katsu Baguette – Not sure If I am tempted or replused?
• Chilli, Bean & Seed Tortilla Chips
• Meatless Meatball Protein Pot – Vegan-friendly, it combines mushrooms and chunky vegan meatballs and breakfast beans together

Starbucks

Last but certainly not least is the queen of all things Pumpkin Spice. Let’s be real – there is no chance you don’t hear pumpkin spice and don’t think instantly = Starbucks

• Brie, butternut and chutney focaccia – creamy brie and maple roasted butternut squash with a pear and fig chutney that Starbucks claims will taste like autumn in every bite.
• No MeatBall Marina Wrap
• Mac & Cheese and Kale & Peas –
• S’mores Brownie Blondie – A blondie bar, with marshmallows and almonds, topped with a piece of brownie and even more marshmallow
• Almond Croissant – A butter croissant filled with an almond filling and topped with toasted flaked almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Mouth, once again, watering just reading this description. I might even have a pumpkin spice latte for the first time with one of these.

• Cherry & White Chocolate Cupcake

• Pumpkin Spice Cookie – A vegan treat to match the iconic Pumpkin Spiced Latte

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Well, that was a lot of food talk wasn’t it? Now I’m a bit hungry.

Have you tried any of these menu items? How different are the UK menus from yours? Are you excited about the return of pumpkin spice season?

Vote on which seasonal menu you are most excited about below!

NB – It seems that the voting feature is not available on phones, only desktops x

Thank you all for reading! This is a very different type of post here on EmilySaidHello and I’m thankful for all the engagement!

Blessings

Em x

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