On Oscar night, Hollywood’s biggest celebration, the Governors Ball matches the annual ceremony’s elevated expectations as Wolfgang Puck and his catering team turn out dinner for 1,500 guests and what he estimates is his 150,000th chocolate Oscar.
There’s something for everyone, whether they’re die-hard vegans or devoted carnivores, promises Puck, who’s overseeing his 30th post-Oscar dinner.
“We can make everything taste good,” says the vet restaurateur, an expert at satisfying Hollywood’s most demanding palates. At past fetes, Joaquin Phoenix lauded his Asian-influenced, vegan specialties; Martin Scorsese approved his pasta; and if Barbra Streisand shows up, her favorite chicken pot pie will be served, alongside anticipated classics from truffle-topped, macaroni-and-cheese to wood-fired pizzas to last’s year’s breakout star, a portable cone filled with fish and chips.
Executive chefs from across Puck’s restaurant empire return for finishing duties at the various small-plate stations at the ball. A new addition to the lineup is exec chef Max Farina, representing Puck’s latest Las Vegas restaurant, the haute Italian Carama. Farina will serve wild mushroom and black truffle risotto along with beef ragu, vegan and vegetarian mini lasagnas. At the Chinois on Main themed buffet, there will be Chinois Peking style duck and soy, honey and ginger-marinated grilled lamb chops topped with cilantro vinaigrette.
“We cook everything at the last moment, and everything is very flavorful and very tasty,” notes Puck.
The choice of sweets is substantial. Guests can indulge in upmarket Oreos (fillings include dulce de leche and hazelnut), Oscar pops and 24-karat gold-dusted chocolate Oscars (5,000 are made for the night). The Grand Marnier-infused chocolate cigars with “ashes” are the highly visual finish.
Complementing Puck Catering’s inventive menu are signature cocktails from Don Julio Tequila and a dedicated Don Julio 1942 bar; red and white wine selections are from France’s esteemed Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon Bordeaux estates. Fleur de Miraval rosé Champagne awaits those ready to celebrate with a bubbly beverage. With the telecast beginning at an earlier start time of 4 p.m. on the West Coast, coupled with daylight saving time, guests should be primed to party.
For the second year, a revolving, reflective Oscar will serve as the centerpiece atop the Dolby Ballroom’s main bar that features art from best picture nominees. The Oscar engraving station returns inside the room, with multiple screens sharing a live feed of the engraving process to attendees.
From red carpet arrivals to the show to the after party, there’s visual continuity, explains MaryJane Partlow, the Academy’s executive vice president, awards production and special events. “There’s a synergy to the whole day,” she says of the shared creative vision of the Academy’s events teams. “It’s everyone collaborating and it’s for the glory of Oscar Sunday.”