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What's on the Menu at the 2009 Governors Ball?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:50:20 -0800

To get you excited for the Oscars (have you filled out your ballot yet?), earlier this week, I tested your knowledge of the Governors Ball, the swanky official afterparty of the Academy Awards. Recently celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who has been putting together the menu for the ball for the past 15 years, unveiled what he will be serving at this year's bash. Can you predict what items will please the stars? Take our quiz to find out!

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How Much Do You Know About the 2009 Governors Ball?

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:50:14 -0800

It's almost time for the biggest day in Hollywood - the Oscars - and, with that, the Governors Ball, the official celebration following the awards. It goes without saying that a lot of energy is put into producing the fête - but can you guess how much? Find out more facts about this blockbuster event when you take our quiz.

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Happy Hour: Patron Red Carpet

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:03:31 -0800

When you say "Red Carpet," most people probably think of fantastic frocks and celebrity smiles. Not the folks at Patron. For them the phrase "Red Carpet" has a completely different meaning. To them it means a lavish raspberry red tequila drink coated in edible gold. The specialty drink is called the Patron Red Carpet, and four thousand of them will be served at this year's Governors Ball. If you'd like to make that four thousand and one, get the recipe - including a video on how to make one at home - when you read more.

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Note: This recipe includes a gold sugar rim. They are actually going to be using edible gold, but you can just color yours with a bit of food coloring paste.

Patron Red Carpet
From Patron

Makes 1 cocktail.

1/2 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
1/2 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange Liqueur
Fresh raspberry juice
Dash organic cranberry juice
Fresh lime juice
Gold sugar rim
Orange wedge dipped in gold sugar for garnish
Splash of grenadine

Wet the rim of a cocktail glass using an orange or lime wedge.
Rim with gold sugar, shake off excess sugar and set aside.
Pour the liquid ingredients - minus the grenadine - into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well.
Strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
Add a splash of grenadine.
Garnish with an orange wedge dipped in gold sugar.

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Mark's Garden Adds Floral Drama to the Governors Ball

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:15:51 -0800

When I walked into the preview for the Governors Ball, the suspended globes immediately caught my eye. However, once I was able to pull my gaze down, my eyes became lost in the drama that is the floral arrangement.

There are over 15,000 roses, in 15 different shades of red, and they're accompanied by golden orchids imported from Thailand several days before the event. The cocktail tables are dotted with bouquets of roses, the dinner tables are huge, tall red and gold bouquets, and the food stations are littered with petals. The staff at Mark's Garden have created a beautiful arrangement that is dramatic, and somehow over the top and subdued at the same time.

I had a chance to talk to Mark Held - he and his staff have been doing the flowers for the Governors Ball for the past 13 years - about their floral decisions. To see that, and even more pics, read more.

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Wolfgang Is Nothing But Refined Simplicity

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:28:31 -0800

If you haven't been following along with all of our Governors Ball coverage then you may have missed the fact that it's going to be "simple but refined." Everything is an elegant sea of red and gold, and the food is nothing but refined simplicity.

While at the press preview, I had the opportunity to watch Wolfgang at work. For two hours he entertained members of the press, grilled steaks, stirred up mac and cheese, and answered similar questions over and over and over again. Ever the great spokesperson, Wolfgang smiled and hammed it up; each member of the press got the same story, but it was always done with vivacity and it always seemed genuine. I managed to get some video of him in action, and our video editor really captured the feel. To check out Wolfgang giving his shpiel over and over and over again, read more.

And the Oscar Goes to... Sherry Yard!

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:59:59 -0800

You've seen the food, and you've seen the decorations, heck, I even showed you what wine they'll be drinking at the upcoming Governors Ball. However, it's now time for the thing I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for: the desserts!

This year, Sherry Yard, the executive pastry chef and author of several cookbooks, including Desserts by the Yard, is concentrating on wonderful little bites. There are solid dark chocolate Oscar statues, almond-apricot petit fours, edible bubbles - yes, bubbles! - shortbread Oscar-shaped cookies, chocolate truffles and more.

We recently got to chat with Sherry - who is quite delightful in real life - and she told us all about the dessert menu and prep. To check out the video, and see loads more pics, read more.

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Happy Hour: Sterling Wines

YumSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:27:51 -0800

For the last five years, Sterling Vineyards has created special blends specifically for the Oscars. The blends, which are the Red Carpet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the Gold Standard Reserve Chardonnay, are limited to 350 cases of each and are extremely exclusive. Unless you sneak into to the Governors Ball, or have someone sneak a bottle out for you, you won't even be able to taste it. Luckily, I was able to taste the red during the press preview, and it was a dangerously smooth, well-rounded cab with a hint of chocolate, berries, and spice. Hollywood's elite are going to have a good time with this one!

And although you can't get your hands on one of these elite bottles, you can treat yourself to another vintage from Sterling. They have several different varieties - both whites and reds - and a price range that fits any budget.

Recently I had a chance to sit down with winemaker Chris Millard. He explained the exclusive wines and how they're developed. To check out the video, read more.

Chatting with Governors Ball Planner Cheryl Cecchetto

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:18:31 -0800

Last week we got to take a peek at what this year's Governors Ball is going to look like. As you can tell, it's going to be an extravagant affair with lush red velvet, shiny gold accents, red roses and gold orchids. Such an extravagant affair can only be pulled off by someone really spectacular, and that someone is special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto. For the 19th consecutive year, Cheryl will be overseeing every tiny detail from the 1,675 floating transparent globes to the 15 shades of red roses.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Cheryl, to find out what she has to say about the event, as well as hear her advice on how to host your own fabulous party, read more.

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You've Seen the Pics, Now See the Menu

YumSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:16:31 -0800

The Oscars are just around the corner - fill in your ballot for a chance to win fab prizes! - and last week I tempted you guys with photos from the Governors Ball preview However, I didn't give a full rundown on what was going to be served. If you were wondering what was pictured in the sea of tastiness, get prepared. I've got the full list - it's huge, over 350 people are on the culinary staff! - and let me tell you, it reads as tasty as the photos. To check out the complete menu, read more.

Antipasti Platter
Smoked Salmon Oscars With Caviar and Crème Fraîche
Roasted Root Vegetable Salad With Citrus Chili Dressing
Thai Spiced Shrimp With Holy Basil and Candied Garlic
Bruschetta of Figs, Goat Cheese, and Organic Prosciutto
Smoked Eggplant With Toasted Flatbread
Asparagus and Chickpea Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette

Butlered Course
Gold Foil Wrapped Baked Yukon Gold With Tsar Nicoulai Caviar and Crème Fraîche

Entrée
Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef With Chinese Broccoli Shiitake Stir-Fry With Red Wine Sauce
Black Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

Vegetable Entrée
Roasted Winter Vegetables Wrapped in Leeks
Black Olive Couscous and Tomato and Radish Compote

Dessert
Sherry Yard’s Oscar Tribute - We'll have more on the dessert station next week!

Sushi Station
Maki Rolls - Spicy Tuna, Sweet Shrimp, Crab, Vegetable
Nigiri - Tuna, Sweet Shrimp, Yellowtail, Salmon, Snapper
Sashimi - Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon, Snapper
Cucumber Salad, Edamame, Wasabi, Soy, and Pickled Ginger

Noodle Station
Pad Thai Noodles With Tofu, Egg, Bean Sprouts, Thai Basil, Mint, and Peanuts
Short Lo Mein Noodles With Pork, Scallions, Sweet Peppers, and Plum Ginger Sauce

Ceviche Station
Shrimp With Mango, Basil, Golden Tomatoes, and Habanero
Sea Bass With Avocado, Tomatillo, Cilantro and Jalapeño
Scallop With Tomato, Orange, and Chili

Shellfish Station
Shrimp, Oysters, and Crab
Cocktail Sauce, Mustard Sauce, and Mignonette

Tray Passed
Spicy Tuna in Sesame Miso Cone; Mini Kobe Cheeseburgers With Remoulade; Tomato Goat Cheese Tart; Miso-Glazed Black Cod on Rice Cracker; Cucumbers and Smoked Salmon, Steak Tartare Crostini, Spicy Chicken Mango Rice Paper Rolls, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Assorted Pizzas

If the menu has you captivated, check out the pics!

The Governors Ball Will Be a Sea of Red and Gold

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:13:31 -0800

Last week, I gave you a sneak peek at all the delicious food that will be served at the Governors Ball, and this week I'm here to share a gallery of the look. The ball, which is being produced by Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions, has been inspired by the fact that it's Oscars 80th anniversary. This year it's all about the gold of the Oscar and the red of the red carpet.

When I walked into the press preview, a sixth of the ballroom had been done up like it would on Oscar night. From the ceiling to the floor, not a single detail was overlooked. The ceiling was coated in glass bubbles that reflect the tiny lights, creating a starry look. The floor was coated in red carpet with gold runners, and the flowers - red roses and gold orchids - matched as well. The tables were either cozy lush velvet or cool, mirrored and sleek. The silverware was gold and the plates were clear. Mirrored walls and railings add another dimension, while mirrored tables and tufted chairs break up the space.

It's going to be a gorgeous event, fit for Hollywood's biggest night! To take a look at the entire gallery - that's just a sneak peek above! - read more.

Oh and I've included a few pics of what the ballroom looked like before they changed everything. They really do an amazing job!

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