89th Academy Awards Governors Ball Preview

On Thursday, The Academy opened the doors to the Ray Dolby Ballroom for a preview of the Governors Ball that will follow the 89th Oscars. This year’s theme is “transformation” which guests will see as they pass through a sea of red in the patio entrance into a huge white space full of gold and red decoration. Above, they’ll see lighted, gold clouds and across from the entrance, an elaborate, floating stage where singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo will perform.

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ official post-Oscar celebration, which will immediately follow the 89th Oscars ceremony on Sunday, February 26. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne will be served from limited-edition magnums with an exclusive red carpet-inspired design made specially for the ball. Benoit Collard, Piper’s global executive director revealed they have signed on for another 3 years and when asked about what happens to any leftover bottles, he said that last year, Eva Longoria obtained one for a charity auction.

Wine drinkers will be treated to 2 limited edition wines from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery featuring commemorative labels. Cocktails will be provided by The Hillhaven Lodge.

Wolfgang Puck Catering continues to be a fixture at the ball and he was there to promote the extensive menu he created with his team. He even brought a machine that extracts and distills carrot juice for the pasta sauce!

For the 23rd consecutive year, legendary chef Wolfgang Puck will set the stage with a Governors Ball menu pairing Hollywood glamour with culinary whimsy. Eric Klein, the new Wolfgang Puck Catering executive chef, worked alongside Puck to create more than 50 imaginative dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening. New menu items will include Moroccan spiced Wagyu short rib topped with a parmesan funnel cake; taro root tacos with shrimp, mango, avocado and chipotle aioli; gnocchetti with braised mushrooms and cashew cream; lobster corn dogs; made-to-order sushi, custom poke bowls and an array of shellfish; plus a selection of Puck’s signature dishes such as smoked salmon Oscars, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and baked macaroni and cheese. The pastry team of Kamel Guechida, Monica Ng and Jason Lemmonier will offer a dessert menu brimming with innovative and playful desserts served at multiple dessert stations, plus the ultimate dessert buffet featuring Puck’s sought-after 24-karat-gold chocolate Oscars. Wolfgang Puck Catering CEO Carl Schuster will direct more than 900 event staff through the evening’s intricately detailed logistics to deliver guests a true restaurant-style hospitality experience.

One interesting change this year will involve the envelopes opened during the awards. The publicity department gave We Are Movie Geeks a scoop: there will be new envelopes this year designed by their in-house marketing department. Be sure to look for them on Oscar Sunday!

Celebrate the Oscars at home with the same party treats served at the Governors Ball with the recipes here.

In the week leading up to the 89th Oscars, beginning on Tuesday February 21st, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a series of public programs celebrating this year’s nominees in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Animated and Live Action Short Film categories.  All events will be held at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Check out the Oscar Week schedule here.

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Contributed by Gary Salem and Michelle McCue