Academy Host 2016 Governors Ball Preview

Details: Category: Celebrity News, Interviews, Pictures; Published on Tuesday, 23 February 2016 09:56; Written by Janet Walker

What do 300 Maine Lobster, 1,500 quail eggs, 1,000 stone crab claws, 400 homemade pizzas, 10,000 Japanese Ranunculus blooms, 13,480 glasses and 30 pounds of edible gold dust have in common? One very special party celebrating the entertainment industry's highest honor.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science held a sneak peek preview for select members of the media recently introducing the 2016 OSCARS Governors Ball creative team and showcasing each of the sponsors selected by the Academy to participate in the festivities.

Academy Governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and Master Chef Wolfgang Puck have each returned to create the 2016 Governor’s Ball.

Held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, the annual gathering of Hollywood’s elite, honored guests and special friends along with OSCAR Winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants begins immediately following the Academy Awards.

The Preview included renderings from all event producers, of what will be the night to remember for many, with an overall theme of Art. More than 170 caricatures of celebrities in the style of famous New York Theater district institution, Sardis’ and the equally famous Brown Derby of Beverly Hills, will line the walls.

Caricatures of thespians past, famed directors, and a plethora of who’s who in Hollywood history will grace the walls in true Rat Pack era Vintage styling.

Attendees will have the opportunity to have their caricature completed by one of the nine most celebrated caricatures artists in the entertainment industry.

A round circular stage will be the focal point with blush, beige and brushed soft pink coloring. Recessed lighting will cast a gentle glow over the attending guests.

Governors Ball Menu

Master Chef Wolfgang Puck has created a themed menu combining timeless, classic and contemporary Hollywood epicurean glamour. The menu designed and chosen for the unique pairings will feature more than 50 imaginative dishes, from bits and bites and lite tray passed hors d’oeuvres to small plate entrées and heavy hors d’oeuvres passed throughout the night.

The Preview also allowed the media to sample the delicious food pairings which will be recreated for the evening. Some of the samplings included braised short rib with cauliflower puree and golden raisin and puffed Thai Rice, tortellini with artichoke fromage, white grape gazpacho, rye berry risotto with peas and asparagus.

Delicacies from the deep, presented on an ice raw bar sculpted with 2,600 lbs of ice, include Maine Lobster, U.S. Shrimp, Stone crab claws, made to order sushi, 500 sheets of Nori, 10 kilos of American farm raised caviar and 1,300 farmed oysters and so much more.

Of course Wolfgang’s signature favorites, his appetizing homemade pizzas, smoked salmon Oscars, and a delicious chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles. Also circulated will be Mini wagyu burgers (yum), Baked potato with crème fraiche and caviar (mouth-watering), Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Black Truffle (delicious).

The amazing Pastry Arts team have created a wonderland of sweet treats including Caramel Oscar Lollipops, Chocolate chip cookies, coconut macaroons, crunchy pearl chocolate dome, Dark Chocolate Brownies, Passion Fruit Mallomars, Vanilla-Raspberry Religieuse, Vanilla Bean and Hot Fudge sundae.

Invitations, Spirits, Flowers and Champagne

Adding the finishing touch to the Décor, Mark’s Garden has been selected to create dramatic floral sculptures. This is the 22^nd year Mar’s Garden will be participating in Hollywood’s Biggest Night.

Flowers from around the world are being flown in for the occasion. The serving staff will wear dusty pink carnations.

Spirits are provided by Haig Club, a single grain scotch with specialty cocktails created by globally acclaimed mixologist Charles Joly. Created by David Beckham and entrepreneur Simon Fuller, HAIG CLUB is one of the most recognizable names in Scotch whisky.

Sterling Vineyards will again provide the delicious, smooth vintage presenting a Limited Edition Red Carpet Reserve, Limited Edition Gold Standard Reserve and Reserve chardonnay. A total of 2,300 bottles of Sterling Vineyards wine will be uncorked at the OSCARS and Governors Ball; an expected 13, 480 glasses of Sterling Vineyards wine will be served.

Piper-Heidsieck, the French Champagne House announced it will premiere three of the House’s most prestigious vintage cuvees during the governor’s ball.

Three Piper-Heidsieck Prestige Cuvee’s will be poured during the official post Oscar party.

Invitations, which are absolutely necessary to enter. Even well-known talent have been turned away and worse attempting to gain access to the most exclusive post OSCAR party in Hollywood.

Providing the invitations for this year’s OSCAR and post Oscar party, Marc Friedland Couture Communications. It is the sixth year Couture Communications have provided the special, handmade invitation. This year more than 110 man hours have gone into creating the gold and red glossy envelope.

The exterior of the envelope with its flap features Art Deco-inspired satin gold foil-treated frame with an ecru inset panel nearing the name of the award category, each in a richly appointed charcoal ink. The envelope will contain a heavyweight ecru card with iridescent gold accents and gold leaf-embossed OSAR statuette, along with the phrase, “And the OSCAR goes to . . .” For a cohesive and elegant look, the names of the winners will be printed in the same charcoal ink and mounted onto a matching red-lacquered hand-wrapped frame, while the back of the card will be printed with the award category.

You Need How Much?!

A few fun facts:

For a Party of this size, 1,500 of the most discerning palates, critically acclaimed and creatively successful individuals in the world here are a few of the items expected.

More than 1,300 hundred culinary, service and support staff.

13,000 glasses, 5,300 small plates, 4,500 ramekins and verrines, 6,000 cocktail forks, 4,500 bamboo skewers.

2,500 Zip tie wraps, 4,500 linear feet of wood, 300 individual speaker cones necessary for customizing the sound individually at each table.

For the Food:

6,500 wood fired Oscar shaped flat breads, 3,500 pieces house made seeded lavosh, 3,000 bread sticks, 3,000 pieces of baby golden, red and striped beets, 5,250 handmade artichokes and fromage agnolotti, 6,000 mini homemade brioche buns, 1,500 Yukon potatoes and 1,000 Cara Cara orange segments,

350 lbs. of troll caught Atlantic Bigeye, 325 lbs. of sticky rice, 350 lbs. of smoked ginger, 300 whole Jidori chickens, 350 Avocados 375 lbs. of Dover Sole, 300 lbs. of Snake River Wagyu short rib, 150 lbs. of haricot vert.

The 88^th Governors Ball is produced by Cheryl Cecchetto, Sequoia Productions. Menu created by Wolfgang Puck and the Wolfgang Puck Catering Team, including chefs Jacqueline Kelly, Ben Hong, Michael Pennick, Alan Latourelle, Connor Shanahan and pastry arts team Kamel Guechida, Tyler Atwell, Della Gossett and Jason Lemonnier. Restaurant style service will be directed by Carl Schuster, CEO Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Sources: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences