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Oscar Ball to Debut Open Seating, 3D Desserts at 2012 Fete

Feb 16, 2012 5:11 PM, By Lisa Hurley

In a big switch from the traditional sit-down dinner, guests will pick where they want to sit—at tables, on ottomans and even at counters--at this year's post-Oscars ball.

Puck pastry chef Sherry Yard shows how to view her 3D Oscar dessert--with genuine movie-theater 3D glasses.

The creative team behind the 84th annual Academy Awards Governors Ball, slated for Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, gave the media a preview today of what the 1,500 guests will enjoy once the coveted statuettes are handed out. In a big switch from the traditional sit-down dinner, guests will pick where they want to sit—at tables, on ottomans and even at counters—while being served a wide range of small plates.

Longtime Ball producer Cheryl Cecchetto, head of Los Angeles-based Sequoia Productions, said the design for the Kodak's Grand Ballroom was inspired in part by the dramatic high ceilings of the Café Americain in Amsterdam, a venue so inviting "that you never want to get up" from your seat, she said.

INVITING LOUNGE LOOK

Sleek lounge seating at the 2012 Oscar ball will feature red and pewter accent pillows.

White lounges will feature accent pillows in red cut-velvet and pewter sequins. Gray counter-height stools will sport bright red cushions, while tables draped in textured linens will feature a mix of Louis XVI chairs—some with clear backs and white patent cushions, others upholstered in black-and-white prints. Lux Lounge Event Furniture Rentals will supply furniture while Resource One will provide custom table linen and chair covers, including Champagne Metallic Mesh, Charcoal Sequin Tulle, Pewter Circle Ribbon Taffeta and custom Charcoal Tufted Rhinestone.

Mark's Garden, floral designer for the 19th consecutive year, will use the color red exclusively for the evening's floral arrangements, which will be small, structured pieces set against a background of silver, gray and taupe. The majority of arrangements will be placed on coffee and side tables scattered throughout the ballroom. The larger dining tables will feature multiple arrangements mixed with candles. The floral sculptures will feature roses, orchids, amaryllis, tulips and callas.

"Chandeliers" fashioned from strands of Swarovski crystals will help rein in the space.

SMALL PLATES WILL BE BIG

The catering team from Wolfgang Puck will oversee the menu for the 18th consecutive year. The menu will offer more than 50 dishes, from one-bite hors d'oeuvre to small-plate entrees, which will be passed throughout the evening. The only buffet this year will be a 24-foot dessert buffet.

Cecchetto described the food presentation as "layered." "I want to taste 20 things," she said. "I don't want to eat one thing."

Menu highlights will include old favorites such as smoked salmon "Oscars" and chicken pot pie with shaved truffles along with lobster tacos with tomato and pickled shallots and beet salad with pistachio butter, burrata and citrus balsamic vinegar.

Read the Special Events interview with Wolfgang Puck.

3D DESSERT

Celebrity chef Sherry Yard, Puck's longtime pastry chef, wowed reporters with her "3D Oscar" dessert. Each guest will get a plate with a "red carpet stairway" made from Black Forest pudding cake. Chocolate "klieg lights," each with a tiny LED, will light up a gold-dusted chocolate "Oscar," who will stand in front of an edible "billboard" that gives a 3D effect when viewed with 3D glasses.

Yard said she often views 3D movies and wanted to find a way to incorporate the technology into a dessert.

Photos by Special Events.

In response to the reader below, the 3D Oscar dessert gets its closeup: In the foreground, you can see the stairway with “klieg” lights and the 3D billboard. That version was for the cameras—the smaller version you see just above and to the right on the white plate is the actual version each guest will get.