Chef Jens Dahlmann explains the storytelling behind the 2024 HHN menu, interview
As the sun fades and the darkness envelopes the night, Universal Studios Orlando opens the Halloween Horror Nights’ gates to hungry guests longing for sustenance to fuel their journey through the fog. On the 2024 HHN Menu, flavorful, creative, and visually compelling dishes have people so enthralled that they may not realize the frights lurking around them.
The Universal Orlando Resort culinary team, led by Chef Jens Dahlmann, VP, Executive Chef, Culinary Operations at Universal Orlando Resort, continues to push the boundaries of what theme park food can, and should, be. While there will always be classic fare on the menu, it is the thematic and approachable food trends that have guests ensuring that they plan breaks around those food and beverage stops.
As seen in previous Halloween Horror Night events, infusing the themes into the savory and sweet food and beverage menu is a priority for the culinary team. It is more than just a chocolate décor placed on a cupcake.
When asked about the thematic interpretation within the menu, Chef Dahlmann explained, “We like getting inspired by the themes of the houses and scarezones at the event, and we feel that our food becomes part of the storytelling and helps our guests immerse themselves into the overall experience. Savory foods will always be the more popular choices for our guests, but our desserts allow us to be very visual and creative and it helps when we have an entire house themed after Major Sweets Candy Factory.”
While those sweet treats might have the tempting flavor that people desire, it is more than just sugar on a plate. The visual component has guests allowing their camera to “eat first.”
Since Halloween Horror Nights embraces the darker side, the 2024 HHN Menu is willing to take that additional leap onto a plate that could have people doing a double take.
According to Chef Dahlmann, “Our marquee events give our chefs and culinarians a unique opportunity to flex their creative muscles and we love to showcase authentic representations of culture and heritage, but we also like to have fun, and that’s where our food offerings at Halloween Horror Nights really shine. Of course, we want to be mindful since we are a family friendly theme park, even after dark, but we can have a little edge for Halloween Horror Nights.”
The inclusive food items go beyond the age factor. As seen on every Universal Orlando menu, the culinary team ensures that there are choices for every lifestyle preference.
Chef Dahlmann explained, “We do our best to have several options for our guests with dietary restrictions. When developing the menu, we look at flavor, presentation, and story first and then decide where it could best fit. For example, this year we loved the idea of a “Heart Beet Tartar” and after learning more about the Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America house, we decided to put a spin on that by creating the “Heart Beet Tostada,” a delicious and creative dish that is vegan, vegetarian and gluten friendly.”
While the Universal Orlando Resort menu continually evolves to include guests’ preferences, food trends, and other items, some guests crave their favorite, tried and true offerings. The culinary team appreciates that food traditions are often intertwined the overall guest experience.
As Chef Dahlmann said, “Pizza Fries and Twisted Taters are a crucial part of the experience at Halloween Horror Nights, and they definitely have a place on our menu as long as our guests are enjoying them. We do need to continue to ideate and create new and exciting options for our guests, so they have something new to try each time they come back, so it is all about finding the right balance.”
During the 2023 HHN event, the hot dogs garnered a lot of attention. This year, the iconic food is back, with a few more twists.
When asked about the hot dog menu, Chef Dahlmann shared, “We actually have the same amount of hot dog offerings as last year. The Korean Corndog came back in a different interpretation, this year as Slimer’s Korean Corndog, and since we have a Slaughter Sinema house this year, it felt like a natural fit to double down on the drive-in movie theater feel with popcorn and an over-the-top hot dog.”
In some ways, that food item plays into a concept that seems to appear throughout the 2024 HHN menu. Items that are portable, easy to eat while standing are a priority.
When asked about the culinary team’s consider of “how food will be eaten,” Chef Dahlmann said that it is “absolutely” a factor. “That’s why our Korean Corndog, Twisted Taters, Chicken Pinchos and our Walking Tacos are so popular. There is so much for guests to experience at Halloween Horror Nights, so having options that our guests can enjoy while waiting for a house or walking through a scarezone allows them to maximize their time.”
Beyond the portability considerations, the 2024 HHN menu features many sweet or dessert items. Whether it is a guest giving themselves permission to indulge or that sugar helps to soothe the nerves from all the scares, these desserts are more than just another slice of cake.
Chef Dahlmann said, “Desserts lend themselves to be highly themed to the occasion and are visually appealing. This year, we do have a little more dessert representation than previous years, and especially with the Mini Stay-Puft S’more and the Frozen Death Chill Cheesecake Corndog themed to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, we do have some very popular items on our hands, which are all made from scratch on property.”
With so many food and beverage options on the expansive 2024 HHN Menu, what should guests try first? Luckily, Chef Dahlmann was willing to share his favorite food and beverage pairing.
“I really enjoy our offerings at the Cafe La Bamba patio this year, which are themed to Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America. They are simple yet flavorful dishes, like the Spinal Colum Pinchos, Pork Carniceria or the Heart Beet Tostada are simply delicious and pair really well with the Depredadora, a rum based drink with mango syrup and citrus juices, balanced with some bitters and garnished with pomegranate seeds.”
2024 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort runs August 30 through November 3 on select nights. It is the 33th year for the seasonal, specially ticketed event.