World-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck is once again in charge of catering for this year’s Academy Awards Governors Ball, marking his 32nd consecutive year designing the menu for the Oscars’ official after-party.
The culinary operation is massive, with about 75 hot-food chefs, 45 pastry chefs, and more than 300 service staff. This year’s banquet features over 70 dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. Classic favorites include mini Wagyu burgers, smoked salmon pizza, chicken pot pie, and macaroni and cheese—comfort foods many Hollywood stars look forward to every year.
Puck said his recent trip to Shanghai inspired several new dishes. Additions to this year’s menu include grilled live prawns with Sichuan-style dipping sauce and beef short ribs seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns. The banquet will also feature a sushi bar, an izakaya station, and Turkish pide, while five chefs will prepare dishes live for guests during the evening.
Puck revealed that singer Barbra Streisand loves the chicken pot pie, while actress Michelle Yeoh usually prefers seafood but is especially fond of desserts. Asked whether winning an Oscar affects guests’ appetites, Puck joked that it likely affects their drinks more. “If they don’t win, they may drink a little more,” he said. “If they do win, they’ll drink even more to celebrate.”
