Hollywood’s biggest night for movies is almost here: the Academy Awards, aka the Oscars, are this Sunday, March 2, in Los Angeles. And while it’s exciting to watch the red carpet and see who takes home the golden statues, the real party starts after the awards ceremony at the annual Governor’s Ball. Although not televised, the Ball is full of meme-able moments, glammed up celebs, and a carefully curated dinner menu by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Here’s what celebs will be eating at the Oscars this weekend, while you enjoy your popcorn from the couch.
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
The Oscars are way classier than pigs in a blanket, but Wolfgang Puck will still prepare a variety of finger foods and easy bites for the guests to eat prior to dinner. Assorted pizza slices and mini burger sliders with aged cheddar and remoulade are on the menu, plus fancier options like spicy tuna tartare with a miso sesame cone and a lobster corn dog.
There’s also vegetarian options, like the sweet pea falafel with hummus and za’atar, and spiced gougeres, which are cheesy, baked savory pastries from France. I bet Timothée Chalamet will be enjoying these. Along with vegetarian options, Puck has made sure to include several gluten, dairy, and nut free options, as well as vegan dishes and treats.
Savory Bites
All the movie talk will probably catalyze a popcorn craving, so it makes sense that Puck included the snack on the menu. Of course, it’s gold-dusted popcorn with truffles to match the golden statues.
There’s other classic movie snacks with a twist as well, like homemade pretzels with pimento cheese, and roasted nuts with cayenne, sea salt, and brown sugar. And because even celebs need a block of cheese sometimes, Parmesan reggiano and five-year aged gouda are also on the menu Sunday.
Passed Small Plates
The small plates are the main course for Sunday’s dinner. Puck breaks them up into two sections: served hot and served cold. In the hot section, there are a variety of dishes for celebs to munch on, from baked macaroni and cheese to sunchoke soup with black truffle, and a baked potato with caviar to Moroccan spiced Wagyu short rib.
In the served cold section, celebs can choose from a chopped salad with popped sorghum, feta, and a dijon-champagne vinaigrette; baby beets with goat cheese yogurt, savory granola,and greens; or hearts of palm with grapefruit and a jalapeno-lemon vinaigrette. On top of these hot and cold small plate options, there will also be a seafood station serving shellfish plus customized poke bowls and sushi rolls.
Dessert
It’s no surprise that the dessert section takes up a majority of the menu, because what winner wouldn’t want to celebrate their award with a sweet treat? Luckily, Puck has got the desserts covered.
There are multiple dessert stations with treats made to order, like lava cakes made from a melting sphere and flavor anglaise, a type of custard sauce. Guests can also enjoy gelato and sorbet in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, caramel popcorn, and mango, served in either a vanilla or red velvet waffle cone. Other stations serve raspberry lychee and takoyaki cake balls, a Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter.
At the chocolate buffet (yes, that’s what it’s called), celebs can choose from an endless assortment of chocolate desserts. Caramel cappuccino Oscar lollipops, mocha tiramisu, and coconut macarons are just some of the sweet treats available at the chocolate station. Of course, there are movie-themed treats, like artisanal chocolate bonbons that come in movie theater flavors, including York Peppermint, Sour Patch Kids, and Butterscotch.
The dessert menu doesn’t finish there, though — Puck has also included some other fancy desserts on the menu, including carrot jalapeno pate de fruit, caramel banoffee pie, and florentine cookies. And, to finish off the menu, Puck has included some passed small plates of sweet treats including an elderflower champagne parfait with raspberry espuma or a black currant pavlova. Can Puck share these menu items with the public after the Oscars are over? Asking for a friend.