At the Oscars Governors Ball, the truffle popcorn will be dusted with gold and the corn dogs made of lobster - Los Angeles Times
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At the Oscars Governors Ball, the truffle popcorn will be dusted with gold and the corn dogs made of lobster

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After months of SoulCycle classes, trips to the sweat lodge and scant carbohydrates, most of the stars who walk into the Governors Ball after the Academy Awards are ready to indulge.

And if Emma Stone, Viola Davis or Ryan Gosling want to pig out post-Oscars, Wolfgang Puck will be prepared. The Hollywood staple — who is catering the fancy party for the 23rd consecutive year — unveiled his seemingly endless menu on Thursday. And there’s comfort food galore: Baked macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, lava cakes, lobster corn dogs, gold-dusted truffle popcorn, baked potatoes with caviar.

If, for some insane reason, any of the ball’s 1,500 guests don’t find anything to their liking, Puck has it handled. Six of his 300 culinary staff will be devoted specifically to handling special requests from picky talent.

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Of course, such flexibility requires a lot of raw material. Puck will have 15 pounds of winter black truffles from Burgundy, five gallons of homemade pimento cheese, 375 pounds of Dover sole, 20 gallons of gelato and 7,500 individual shrimp at the ready.

And that’s just the food. In addition to the French Champagne to be poured from Oscar-themed Magnums, and the wine bottles from filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s winery, guests will have the option of sipping on three specially designed cocktails. The whiskey featured in the drinks is called Hilhaven Lodge, also the name of director Brett Ratner’s Beverly Hills 1927 mansion, because obviously.

The theme of the evening, selected by Academy Governor Jeffrey Kurland and event producer Cheryl Cecchetto, will be “magical transformation.” Kurland took inspiration from a pâtisserie in South America that was all-white, save for trays of colorful macarons. Accordingly, the ball will be blanketed almost entirely in white with just a few pops of red and gold — mostly from the 10,000 ranunculus, double tulips and orchids supplied by celebrity florist Mark Held.

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Despite the clean look of the room, Cecchetto said invitees shouldn’t be worried about spilling their red wine.

“It’s all going away at midnight, anyway!”

OSCARS GOVERNORS BALL SNEAK PEEK

The room

The 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview of the food, beverages, and decor.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The world-famous chef

Chef Wolfgang Puck, center, talks about his creations for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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The comfy seating

Flowers for the tables by Mark's Garden are featured at the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The ring master

Event producer Cheryl Cecchetto, invites guests for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Blossoms from the celebrity florist

Flowers for the tables by Mark's Garden are featured at the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The luxury food station

The table for chef Wolfgang Puck, is full of his creations for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The cocktails

Mixologist Charles Joly holds two of his Oscars Governors Ball cocktail creations: "The Lodge," right, and "The Road Less Traveled."
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The beef (Wagyu, of course)

Moroccan Wagyu short rib topped with a parmesan funnel cake by chef Wolfgang Puck for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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The caviar matzo

Smoked Salmon Oscar Matzo with caviar by chef Wolfgang Puck for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The abundance of seafood

Seafood by master chef Wolfgang Puck for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The chocolate Oscar

A variety of chocolate Oscar statuettes by chef Wolfgang Puck for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The view of the ball

The 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview of the food, beverages, and decor.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Oscar

Oscar statue under the ceiling artwork that is featured through the Ray Dolby Ballroom for the 89th Oscars Governors Ball press preview.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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