For the past seven years we have hosted an Oscars party.
We know the politics of the awards are fraught. We know all the cynical retorts. But there is something undeniably escapist about it as a spectacle.
And we also, just really like movies.
The awards are pinnacle of a month long festival. Before it there’s a whirlwind few weeks where we try and see as many of the nominated films as possible.
Then we brainstorm dishes to match the films nominated for Best Picture.
A quick summary of what we’ve turned out for this year.
It’s ‘Not so silent martinis‘ for The Artist (with popping candy rim)
Truffled popcorn balls for Moneyball
Poke bites for The Descendants
Chicken Scotch Eggs for Tree of Life
Double baked Boursin souffles for Hugo
Coq au Vin for Midnight in Paris
Carrot, oat, apple and rosemary cake for War Horse
A classic chocolate pie for The Help
And vegan black and white cookies for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Over the years of putting on the party I’ve discovered a few things the hard way.
Learn from my mistakes. Now we:
- Make people lodge their ballots the day before (no cheating).
This year we’re using this as a spectacular ballot.
- Keep everyone quiet during the red carpet. We try and have drinks in our hands at this point. This is when the (civilised) drinking games start. We pick a signature colour for the year. Every time you see someone in a frock of that colour you have to take a sip.
This year the colour to watch/ drink for is burnt orange.
- We keep drinks on hand during the ceremony. Every time someone gets cut off by the music, we take a sip. Every time someone thanks their mother; their agent or their deity of choice- we take a sip. Every time the camera cuts to Jack Nicholson looking smug in the front row,we take a sip. If there’s a wardrobe malfunction, then that’s two sips.
And most crucially, we try to be generous when other people beat us in the tipping contest .
I try. I really do. But this is serious stuff.
May your Oscars be golden.
Regards,
an Oscars addict
You got a shout out from the fuggirls for your Oscar's posts! http://gofugyourself.com/fugs-and-pieces-february-24-2012-02-2012 Very impressive!
What a great idea. Lovely roundup of fun eats! Happy Oscar watching! 🙂
Can you please invite me to your Oscar party next year – sounds like an absolute hoot!!! I'm thinking you all will be hammered by the time the Best Supporting Actress award is given out! I adore Oscar night too – and I've truly loved your little series. Hope you do a post-Oscar roundup!
I read your article in the HuffPo on this – I think we have a common "offline" friend who posted it on Facebook – and thought it was just fabulous. So creative and sounds like a great party.
Lovely menu like always. I love your sipping tradition, it had me laughing out loud. What can I say, I am a sucker for the Oscars, movies and starwatching too.
Wow – what a party and what a spread!
What a spread! You Oscar party looks like one big tasty blast! I bet your guests look forward to it every year.