What is the defining sign of autumn’s arrival?

Is it the days growing shorter and the evenings becoming crisp and cool with omens of frost? Is it the leaves changing from lush green to striking shades of gold, amber, burnt orange, and red?

Is it the warm layers of wool sweaters and scarves that suddenly appear around our shoulders in mid-October? Or is it, as recent years can attest, the appearance of pumpkin spice everything on café and restaurant menus?

Whether you love it or would be happy to leave it, pumpkin spice is everywhere, from the infamous latte to the infinite variations of pumpkin and squash soup to the classic Thanksgiving dessert.

There’s never been a better time to be a coffee lover.

There are artisan coffee shops in every city, most supermarkets now sell a wide variety of coffee from around the world, and brewing a delicious cup of coffee at home has never been easier.

One person who has been a huge influence on the rise of coffee culture is James Hoffmann, the coffee expert, award-winning coffee roaster, World Barista Champion (2007), and author of The World Atlas of Coffee, now in its second edition.

Not only does Hoffmann operate Square Mile Coffee Roasters in London, UK — and write one of the internet’s best coffee blogs jimseven — he also travels around the world learning about coffee. In the new edition of his guide to all things coffee, he discusses seven new coffee-producing countries all well as the major players coffee lovers are familiar with.

When it comes to conversations around seasonal comfort food, meat and gravy tend to dominate the scene.

(We’re guilty of this too, as we included a recipe for savoury steak and oyster pie in our fall menu. Meat lovers can get the recipe here.)

But since October 1^st is World Vegetarian Day, we thought it was time that vegetarian comfort food was given some credit. To help you celebrate, we’re sharing three of our favourite comforting recipes just for vegetarians.

Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty soup, a veggie twist on a classic Greek dish, or a scrumptious seasonal side, these delicious recipes will see you through the season and leave everyone wanting seconds.