Governors Ball Preview For The 84th Academy Awards; Wolfgang Puck to Create 2012 Governors Ball Menu

WAMG attended the preview of the food and décor of this year’s Governors Ball – the celebration immediately following the 84th Academy Awards® hosted by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – at The Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center. For the 18th consecutive year, master chef Wolfgang Puck has been selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to create the menu for the Governors Ball on Oscar® Sunday, February 26, 2012.

This year, instead of tables with place-settings or buffets, an army of servers will bring the food around on trays with small plates. The band will be in the center on a raised, rotating stage. The first set of bleachers are out on Hollywood Blvd. and rain coverings are installed along the route to the ball. The ballroom is completely transformed in a different way each year including the elaborate ceiling installations and hanging fixtures.

“We are so excited to help create a new energy for the Governors Ball this year,” said Puck. “With fantastic California ingredients, a few luxuries, and some favorite comfort foods, there will truly be something for everyone, and inspiration for anyone hosting a party at home. We are happy to celebrate Hollywood’s brightest stars and most accomplished artists with our culinary artistry.”

Wolfgang Puck Catering will serve the Academy’s 1,500 Ball guests, including Oscar winners, nominees, presenters and telecast participants.

The 2012 menu created by Puck and Chef Matt Bencivenga embraces the social arrangement of this year’s Ball; it features more than fifty dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening. With visual artistry and eclectic flavors, signature favorites such as smoked salmon Oscars®, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and Pastry Chef Sherry Yard’s gold-dusted chocolate Oscars will appear alongside inventive presentations such as lobster tacos with tomato and pickled Shallots, and beet salad with pistachio butter, burrata and citrus balsamic. The menu incorporates local produce and sustainable seafood, and its surprise sweets pay homage to the future of Oscar in 3D.

All unused prepared food will be donated to Angel Harvest.

Cheryl Cecchetto unveiled the décor and other elements of the Governors Ball, Wolfgang Puck and his team of chefs prepared and displayed samples from the Governors Ball menu, and Mark Garden unveiled the floral theme. Moët & Chandon revealed the winning recipe for its cocktail contest; the champagne cocktail will be served at the Ball. Postmark.com/Evite.com showcased “The Oscar Collection” – special online invitations for at-home viewing parties.

Wolfgang Puck Catering sets the standard for gracious hospitality and expert service in more than 45 exclusive venues nationwide. The Wolfgang Puck Companies – which comprise 21 fine dining restaurants, premium catering services, and quality kitchen and food merchandise – together express Puck’s passion for cooking and living well.

Special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto, for the 23rd consecutive year, has been chosen to produce the Governors Ball, the celebration that will follow the 84th Academy Awards® presentation on Oscar® Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Cecchetto, along with her Sequoia Productions team, will work with Governors Ball Chair Jeffrey Kurland to manage every detail pertaining to the event, including décor, entertainment, food and personnel.

“This year’s design not only complements the theme of the Ball, but also is a chic and simple canvas for intimate conversations and freedom of movement,” said Cecchetto. “Guests will experience Wolfgang Puck’s tasting menu and the evening’s musical entertainment with a backdrop of relaxed glamour.”

Sequoia Productions recently produced the 2012 G’Day USA Los Angeles Black Tie Gala; later this year, Sequoia will be returning as the producer of the 64th Annual Emmy® Awards Governors Ball.

Jeffrey Kurland, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences governor representing the Art Directors Branch, will chair the Governors Ball, the celebration that will follow the 84th Academy Awards® on Oscar® Sunday, February 26, 2012. This will be his third year as the chair of the event.

“This year’s Governors Ball re-envisions the celebration. We will offer a radical departure from the traditional sit-down affair, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to originality and excellence,” said Kurland.

The open format, created by Ball producer Cheryl Cecchetto, will allow the Ball’s 1,500 guests to circulate among a variety of seating configurations while enjoying the cuisine created specifically for the event by master chef Wolfgang Puck. Guests will include Academy Award® winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.

In addition to overseeing the décor, menu and entertainment planning for the Ball, Kurland will design the attire to be worn by the evening’s staff. He received an Oscar nomination for Costume Design for “Bullets over Broadway.”

Kurland’s other feature credits include “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “Radio Days,” Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Collateral,” “Law Abiding Citizen,” “Inception” and the upcoming “The Dictator.”

The room will sparkle with 1400 strands of Swarovski Crystal.

Fun Facts:

• 5000 Mini Chocolate Oscars
• 6500 Wood Fired Oscar Shaped Flat Bread
• 1,000 bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne
• 20,000 pieces of California Grown Micro Greens
• 7,500 individual US shrimp
• 1,450 pounds Maine lobster
• 5,000 cage free eggs

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

Download the official 2012 Oscars App