This year’s Governors Ball, following the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, will offer Wolfgang Puck’s signature menu items like chicken pot pie and Oscar-shaped smoked salmon crackers.
However, the evening will feature some new additions, including a sushi and salmon station with five chefs preparing handrolls, nigiri and crispy rice cakes. For dessert, there will be an apple strudel prepared by a recipe from Puck’s own mother, as well as an ice cream station. “We’re using a new ice cream machine,” said Puck’s son and co-chef, Byron Puck. “It’s hard when you’re doing ice cream or sorbets or gelatos for 1,500 people. You bring it out and it’s usually like a rock because it’s so cold and has to last throughout the night. This machine keeps it cold and turns the ice cream so you end up getting a nice, consistent silky texture – and it’s from scratch!”
This year marks the 32nd time Puck has catered the ball. He makes sure that all dietary needs are taken care of on the big night. He recalled Joaquin Phoenix arriving at the gala after winning the best actor Oscar in 2020 for his work in “Joker.” “We took Joaquin and his whole team into the kitchen, but then he tells me, ‘We are vegans,’ Puck said. “I said, ‘You know what, we have you covered.’ So we fed them all of our vegan dishes and he said, ‘This is the best vegan restaurant in the world.’ We are very proud of that.”
Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon return as the official wines of the Academy Awards and Piper-Heidsieck does the same for champagne. Mixologist Charles Joly and Lorenzo Antinori and the team behind Hong Kong’s Bar Leone will be on-site to curate Tequila Don Julio cocktails. Saco Sarkissian, creative director of Petals LA, provided the floral designs.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the Oscars will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and be televised live by ABC and streamed on Hulu.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Wolfgang Puck and Byron Puck at the 98th Oscars Governors Ball preview.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Salmon Oscars.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Charles Joly and Lorenzo Antinori.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Mini chocolate Oscars.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Saco Sarkissian of Petals LA.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Flowers by Petals LA.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Marie Noura Aazizou.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner Savory cannolis.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Michael Buckner 98th Oscars Governors Ball preview.
- 98th Oscars Governors Ball Preview Image Credit: Courtesy A rendering of the Governors Ball.
Wolfgang Puck and Byron Puck at the 98th Oscars Governors Ball preview.
A rendering of the Governors Ball.
