Hollywood Glamour and Vintage Style Will Be Highlighted At 2016 Governors Ball

7,500 shrimp, 6,500 wood-fired Oscar-shaped flat bread, 3,000 custom Oscar boxes, over 2,700 bottles of Sterling Vineyards Wines and 7,000 mini chocolate Oscars. Just a sampling of the libations and nosh at the 2016 Governors Ball.

Last week a preview of the food, drinks and décor of this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar celebration, was held for members of the media to get inside look at what the 1,500 guests will be dining on after the conclusion of Hollywood’s biggest night.

The Ball, which follows the 88th Oscars ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 28, includes Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.

Inspired by the caricature-filled walls of the iconic Sardi’s and Brown Derby restaurants, the Ball’s décor will feature more than 170 newly commissioned drawings spotlighting filmmaking luminaries past and present, including many who appear in this year’s Oscar-nominated films.

“The theme of this year’s Governors Ball is art – the art of making film, and the individuals who create the art,” said Kurland. “You will see drawings created by contemporary illustrators that are reminiscent of Hirschfeld’s wonderful portraits. They truly capture the energy and sheer joy of the evening’s celebration.”

A team of 10 maître d’ staff, 950 service and support staff and 325 culinary staff are on hand to make the evening a complete success.

PIPER-HEIDSIECK, the revered French Champagne house known worldwide for the red of its label and the gold of its wine, unveiled at the preview the “Red Carpet Ready” limited edition magnum bottle that will be poured exclusively at this year’s 88th Oscars ceremony and Governors Ball.

Over 2,400 bottles of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne will be served.

With only 1000 bottles produced, the special limited edition magnum was unveiled during the Oscars Nominee Luncheon in order to give nominees a ‘sneak peek’ of what they will be drinking on February 28th.

An exceptional bottle for an exceptional night, the PIPER-HEIDSIECK Cuvee Brut magnum was designed by the 230 year-old French House specifically for the occasion with the word “Oscars” and the number “88” forming a golden “tiara” wrapped by hand around each bottle.

PIPER-HEIDSIECK believes that nothing less than a magnum is worthy of the grandeur of Oscars night.

“We are thrilled to celebrate a momentous occasion with a momentous bottle, one that reflects the Academy and the House’s shared value of excellence,” says Benoit Collard, Global Executive Director PIPER-HEIDSIECK. “These magnums are as grand and bold as the films and performances we are celebrating this year.”

PIPER-HEIDSIECK Cuvée Brut is a classic, structured, full-bodied Champagne with harmonious balance. The blend is mainly Pinot Noir incorporating more than 100 crus from the Champagne region in France.

A clear, golden Champagne, Cuvee Brut’s delicate, fine bubbles result from an extended maturation. A juicy, fleshy pear and golden grape texture, the wine’s finish narrows to citrus and grapefruit flavors.

Master chef Wolfgang Puck will once again provide the Governors Ball menu.

The menu will feature more than 50 imaginative dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening.

They include Sriracha-candied macadamia nuts; braised short rib with cauliflower puree and golden raisin puffed Thai rice; tortellini with artichoke fromage; white grape almond gazpacho; rye berry risotto with peas and asparagus; poke, stone crab, made-to-order sushi and other raw bar treats floating atop illuminated ice blocks; and a selection of Puck’s signature favorites, such as smoked salmon Oscars, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and mini American Wagyu burgers with aged cheddar.

Among the interesting and fun food facts – the menu will also include 2,375 housemade pretzels, 1,000 grilled cheese sandwiches, 100,000 pieces dark chocolate couverture pistoles, 1,000 stone crab claws and 350 pounds house smoked salmon.

Mark’s Garden unveiled the floral theme. Nearly 300 individual speaker cones at the Governors Ball, customizing the sound for each table. This year, all the flowers for the Governors Ball are white. Japanese Ranunculus are being flown in for the Ball: this is the first time flowers are being brought in from Japan. Gardenias, with their amazing fragrance, will be used for the first time as part of the floral décor. The flowers for the Governors Ball will arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday or Thursday from around the world.

Haig Club revealed featured cocktails and recipes. Celebrate the glamour of the Oscars with this selection of HAIG CLUB™ Single Grain Scotch Whisky specialty cocktails created by globally acclaimed mixologist Charles Joly at your at-home viewing parties. Developed in partnership with global icon David Beckham and British entrepreneur Simon Fuller, HAIG CLUB™ is sought out by some of the world’s most recognizable names, making it the perfect selection for the most esteemed awards ceremony in Hollywood.

Marc Friedland, creative director of Marc Friedland Couture Communications, will once again design the envelopes and announcement awards bearing the names of Oscar winners for the 88th Academy Awards. He began creating the first-ever specially designed envelope and winners cards for the Oscars in 2011.

Friedland’s custom-designed envelope is handcrafted from a high gloss, iridescent metallic paper, treated in an “Oscar” gold, complemented by a red-lacquered lining featuring the Oscar statuette hand-stamped in satin gold leaf. A faint statuette watermarked pattern gives the exterior envelope its distinctive finish and provides for added security against duplication.

The exterior of the envelope and its flap features an Art Deco-inspired satin gold foil-treated frame with an ecru inset panel bearing 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 Oscar 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.

Friedland produces an announcement card for each of the nominees. Once the final tabulation of the ballots has been completed, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) partners Brian Cullinan and Martha L. Ruiz will personally insert the appropriate announcement cards, fastening the envelope with a red double-faced satin ribbon and red-lacquered and gold-embossed seal featuring the PwC logo. The remaining nominee cards will then be destroyed.

Celebrate and host the perfect Oscars party with these fabulous ideas from the Academy here.

For a complete list of nominees and additional information, visit the official Academy Awards website, visit oscar.go.com

Watch the 88th Academy Awards on Oscar Sunday, Feb. 28, with host Chris Rock on ABC  at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Contributed by Gary Salem and Michelle McCue