LOS ANGELES – The most talked about entertainment event of the year is just days away and as the industry’s top names prepare for the 85th Academy Awards, Wolfgang Puck is doing his part to get ready for the festivities.
For the 19th year in a row, the famed celebrity chef is whipping up the decadent menu at the Governors Ball — the official after party for the Oscars — and guests who are lucky enough to snag an invite to the lavish soiree will have the opportunity to indulge in a copious assortment of the best food and spirits Los Angeles has to offer.
As the 1,500 attendees — which include nominees, winners, and Tinsel Town insiders — make their way to the Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood after the three-hour awards ceremony, they will be greeted with trays of spicy tuna tartare, mini Kobe burgers with aged Cheddar cheese, vegetable spring rolls, smoked salmon shaped like Oscars with dill crème fraiche and caviar, shrimp fritters, spicy coconut steak tartare, and Parmesan toast sandwich duck wonton.
In addition to the hors d’oeuvres that will be passed around throughout the night, there will be a sushi and shellfish station as well as cocktail platters of truffle and Parmesan grissini, black truffle aioli dip, winter fruit “caprese,” bacon wrapped dates, and rosemary spiced nuts.
The star‑studded crowd will also feast on small cold plates of Japanese baby peach salad, Chinese mustard dressing kale salad, and grilled artichoke with lemon vinaigrette.
For main courses, the Austrian born chef who bodaciously rose to prominence with his culinary refulgence and restaurants Spago and Cut, will serve black truffles chestnut tortellini, Snake River Farms New York Steak, Thai spice truffle macaroni and cheese, lobster with black bean sauce, and lentils with cauliflower and baby vegetables.
Finally, desserts such as baked to order chocolate soufflé cakes, shaved espresso ice, and chocolate Crème Brulée with raspberries will be on hand.
According to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it will take 2,100 hours to prepare and set up for an event of this magnitude. And Wolfgang has enlisted 350 culinary staff to assist him in the kitchen and 950 employees to ensure the guests’ needs are met.
The Academy Awards will air this Sunday, February 24, on ABC.