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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.

Print recipe with images | without images

Love It or Hate It? Suspended Glass Globes

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:15:25 -0800

Cheryl Cecchetto, the special events producer of this year's Governors Ball, the Oscars after party, suspended glass globes from the ceiling of the venue, which reflect light around the room. Personally, I find them a tad too fishbowl or terrarium-esque for my taste, and not as elegant as I'd expect for such an event. But, I appreciate Cecchetto's creativity and ability to bring new purpose to an everyday object. What do you think?

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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Get the Look: Oscar Party Lounge

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:09 -0800

Considering that the Oscars are less than a week away, it's about time to start prepping your house for your own Sunday night Oscar party. Since YumSugar shared images with me of her preview tour of the Governors Ball, I figured I'd put 'em to use and show you how to get the look of an Oscar party lounge, making your digs worthy of an award — or at the very least, a nomination.

While I'll never endorse this color scheme, I do appreciate its inspiration. Special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto spoke to the influences saying, "The inspiration this year was really drawn from the gold of the Oscar and the red of the red carpet." To learn how to get this inspired look for your Oscar party, or any other, read more

The Palette: As I said, the palette for this party is simply red and gold. But, you can bring in some other tones by using reflective materials like mirror, glass, and pailettes. If red and gold isn't your thing, I don't blame you. Use a similar arrangement in the colors that suit your home best.

The Furniture: The first item on the furniture list is the center piece of a modular seating set or sectional, or an armless loveseat. If you're using the color scheme, you can still get the look with the sofa you already own, but the armless seating is really what gives it that clubby/lounge feel. Try the Brocade Home Horizontal Tufted Loveseat ($1199), the West Elm Tillary Modular Seating ($799), or the EQ3 SALEMA Armless Loveseat ($549). You'll also need a pair of West Elm Mirror Side Tables ($249) for that reflective ritzy glow, and of course, as a place to stash your cocktails.

The Accents: The accents are pretty minimal - just a pair of vases and accent pillows — but they pack a Hollywood glam punch. You'll want to save room for your warm-bodied guests and libations. The accent pillows will be glitzy, with paillettes or sequins of some sort. Try the Nate Berkus Gold Sequin Toss Pillow ($34.99), the West Elm Peacock Pillow Covers ($39), or these Fun and Funky Sequined Pillows ($29.99). Pick up a duo of slim crystal or glass vases, like the Plum Party Honiton Glass Vases ($42 for five) or the CB2 Lisbon Vases ($9.95). Then, fill the vase with a single, top-heavy flower, like a red rose or a fiery-red begonia.

The Lighting: Go with dimmed overhead lighting, or pick up a pale luster from a nearby table lamp.

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.

Cool Idea: A Table Lamp as a Centerpiece

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:30:31 -0800

Tick tock: The Oscars are fast approaching! If you haven't yet, you should fill out BuzzSugar's ballot for a chance to win a cash prize. YumSugar was kind enough to share photos with me of her preview tour of the Governors Ball, the Academy Awards' official afterparty, and I noticed that the Kartell Bourgie Table Lamp ($362) was used in a rather unusual manner. For once, the table lamp found itself atop a dining table, used as a centerpiece along with a plethora of red roses and a ruby-red runner, rather than placed on a bedside table, a desk, an accent table, etc. So long candelabras, huh? How do you feel about this curious use of a table lamp? Would you use this technique at your own dinner party?

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.