Fall in Los Angeles may not bring the crisp winds of the East Coast, but it carries its own kind of magic. Golden sunsets, cozy atmospheres, and a harvest of rich flavors make the season perfect for gathering and celebrating.
At The Oviatt, autumn is a time to embrace richness and creativity. The season inspires menus layered with warmth and depth — dishes that comfort while still feeling elevated. Whether you’re planning a wedding dinner under the stars, a corporate holiday party, or an intimate rooftop celebration, food is more than a detail. It’s the heart of the experience and one of the ways guests will remember your event most vividly.
To help spark ideas, we turned to our trusted catering partner Fusion Events for their expert perspective on creating fall menus that feel both stylish and soulful. Together, we’ve gathered inspiration and tips on how seasonal flavors, textures, and presentation can come together to create a menu that feels curated, memorable, and completely aligned with your celebration.
Start with Seasonal Inspiration
Autumn ingredients bring bold flavors and natural warmth to any menu. Working with what’s in season not only enhances freshness and taste but also helps tell a story and connect your guests to the time of year.
Consider incorporating these seasonal favorites:
Figs, persimmons, and pears for salads, desserts, or cheese boards
Butternut squash or pumpkin for soups, risottos, or small bites
Hearty greens like kale or chard for vibrant side dishes
Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg in cocktails and desserts
The key is balance. Keep dishes elegant and unexpected, combining comfort with sophistication.
Grazing Table - My House Events Catering - Citrine Pictures | Plated Salad - Fusion Events Catering - Tina Vonn Photography
Elevated Comfort Food
Comfort food can be reimagined to feel refined and event-ready. With a few thoughtful details, beloved favorites become standouts for weddings, holiday parties, or private dinners.
Ideas to try:
Mini truffle mac and cheese bites served in elegant spoons
Short rib sliders on brioche with a spiced seasonal chutney
Roasted root vegetable tartlets with goat cheese and herbs
Individual cups of pumpkin bisque topped with spiced crème fraîche
Sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter sage sauce
These dishes bring a feeling of warmth and nostalgia while staying polished and upscale.
Plated Salmon & Spaghetti Squash - Fusion Events Catering - Tina Vonn Photography
Mini Desserts That Make a Statement
Small desserts are perfect for fall events. They encourage mingling, look stunning when styled creatively, and give guests the chance to try a variety of flavors.
Dessert ideas:
Mini pecan pies or pumpkin tartlets
Apple cider donut holes with dipping sauces
Chocolate pots de crème with salted caramel drizzle
Bread pudding bites served in mini ramekins
Branded sugar cookies for weddings or corporate events
These desserts double as décor when presented beautifully on a styled table or served by hand.
Gazebo adorned with hanging maple-glazed sugar cookies and apple tarts - Good Gracious Events Catering
Partner Spotlight: Fusion Events on Fall Menus
This season, we turned to our trusted partner Fusion Events for their take on designing thoughtful fall menus. Founded by Felicia Quintero, Fusion Events was built on a simple yet powerful purpose — to create food and experiences that feel fresh, bold, and unforgettable.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Felicia and her team have perfected the art of delivering world-class catering that strikes the ideal balance between flavor, efficiency, and style. Their menus are crafted to excite the palate, capture the season’s essence, and bring people together around the table — exactly what fall celebrations are all about.
When creating custom menus, how do you weave in seasonal inspiration while still keeping things fresh and unexpected?
At Fusion Events, seasonality is our foundation — but creativity is what brings it to life. We see the season as a palette rather than a boundary, drawing on its mood, color, and energy to shape the dining experience. Our chefs reinterpret familiar seasonal notes, adapting them to our client’s vision for their event. The result is food that celebrates fall’s warmth while still offering unique menus that feel both comforting and special, but also refined and elevated.
What’s your process for tailoring a fall menu so it reflects not only the season but also a couple’s or brand’s unique story?
Our process always begins with connection. We take time to understand the client’s vision — their personality, aesthetic, and what the event is meant to evoke. From there, our team designs a culinary narrative that mirrors their story while honoring the season’s character. Every detail, from flavor composition to visual presentation, is crafted to align with the event’s overall atmosphere, ensuring the menu and service feels personal, intentional, and one of a kind.
What unique catering trends are you seeing for fall 2025–2026 — from global influences to plant-based twists or interactive food stations?
Catering is becoming more experiential and expressive than ever — it’s less about serving a meal and more about creating an atmosphere that tells a story. We’re seeing a rise in maximalist flavor, where bold, layered profiles engage all the senses — taste, texture, aroma, even sound — creating a multi-dimensional dining experience. Alongside that is a renewed appreciation for authentic global cuisines, a movement that deeply reflects who we are as a company. Fusion has always been our philosophy: staying true to the roots and traditions of each culture we represent, while artfully blending them to tell a new story that’s unique to the client. Whether it’s honoring the backgrounds of a couple or the identity of a brand, we love finding that intersection point where two distinct worlds meet — where food becomes a shared expression of connection. And finally, there’s a sense of retro rejuvenation emerging — nostalgic dishes and formats reimagined with modern craftsmanship. Together, these trends speak to what guests are craving most right now: food that feels meaningful, personal, and alive with creativity. That’s where Fusion thrives — in curating experiences that balance innovation with authenticity and transform dining into a form of storytelling.
Fall flavors naturally lean cozy and hearty. How do you strike the right balance between comfort food and an elegant, event-worthy menu?
We love walking that line. Fall menus invite richness, but our approach is always about refinement — balancing depth with freshness and warmth with precision. Presentation plays a key role; even the most nostalgic flavors can feel sophisticated when presented with artistry and restraint. We want guests to experience comfort, but in a way that still feels intentional, contemporary, and true to the tone of a beautifully executed event.
If you had to design your “dream fall menu” for an Oviatt rooftop event, what dishes and drinks would you include?
For an Oviatt rooftop celebration, we’d imagine a menu that feels as timeless and cinematic as the venue itself — something that evokes the glow of fall in downtown Los Angeles while paying homage to The Oviatt’s old-Hollywood charm. We’d start with a Tomato Soup Shooter served in a shot glass with a Mini Grilled Cheese — a playful, nostalgic bite that immediately puts guests at ease. From there, a Harvest Salad with kale, wild rice, apples, roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, and almonds brings warmth, texture, and color to the table.For the mains, we’d offer a Dry-Rubbed Salmon topped with Pineapple Salsa — bright and aromatic — alongside Spaghetti Squash with Marinara and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, a plant-forward dish that feels hearty yet light. To round it out, sides like Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Rosemary-Tossed Red Potatoes would add that cozy, shared-table energy that defines fall dining. And to finish the evening, we’d serve a Cinnamon Old-Fashioned — a modern nod to the glamour and nostalgia of The Oviatt itself. It’s the kind of menu that balances comfort and sophistication, where every detail feels intentional, seasonal, and unmistakably Los Angeles.
Tomato Soup Shooter & Mini Grilled Cheese - Fusion Events Catering - Tina Vonn Photography
Is there a playful or unexpected fall-inspired dish or interactive station you’ve loved creating (or would love to try) that always surprises guests?
Our S’mores station and Hot Chocolate bar are always a hit this time of year — they bring a sense of nostalgia, but in a way that feels elevated and experiential. Guests love that they can personalize each creation exactly to their liking, which transforms dessert into a shared, hands-on moment. There’s something about the warmth, the movement, and the aroma that draws people in — suddenly, everyone’s gathered together, laughing and comparing combinations. It’s dynamic, sensory, and social — the kind of experience that naturally encourages conversation and connection, which is what we love most about interactive catering.
Bring Your Fall Celebration to Life
Whether you’re planning a rooftop wedding, a corporate gathering, or a private celebration, The Oviatt is here to make it unforgettable. Our historic venue, paired with the expertise of our culinary partners, ensures your menu feels as inspired as the setting itself.
With partners like Fusion Events, we’re able to offer everything from seamless, classic menus to highly customized creations designed around your vision. Share your ideas with us, and we’ll connect you with the right team to bring them to life.
Ready to start planning? Reach out to our event experts for a custom quote, or explore our event packages to find the perfect fit for your celebration.
About Fusion Events
Fusion Events isn’t your average catering company — it’s a creative service powerhouse built on flavor and flair, with a signature warmth that turns even the grandest affair into something personal. Founded by Felicia Quintero, a Los Angeles native with over two decades in catering and event design, Fusion Events turns parties into experiences and meals into moments.
From intimate gatherings to full-scale productions, they handle everything — food, bar, florals, rentals, entertainment, and coordination — fusing style with seamless execution. What sets them apart is their obsession with providing high-quality service: they don’t just set the table, they set the tone. Every detail is intentional, every dish crafted to match the mood, every space transformed into something unforgettable.
What truly defines Fusion Events is their energy: creative, attentive, and completely hands-on. Felicia and her team bring a sense of warmth and precision that turns logistics into storytelling and parties into experiences. In a city built on moments, they know how to make yours shine.
