While the Academy Awards (held on March 12th) made history for a number of reasons: Michelle Yeoh was the first Asian woman to win Best Actress in a Leading Role (Everything, Everywhere, All At Once), Ruth Carter became the first black woman to win two Oscars (Best Costume Design for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), and for the first-time-ever, the mainstage of the Academy Awards was designed by women (production designers Alana Billingsley and Misty Buckley).
The Oscars also made history by breaking from tradition; after 30 years with Wolfgang Puck as the chef for the evening's food (during both the ceremony and the Governor's Ball), this year the honor fell to Wolfgang Puck protégée Elliott Grover, according to an article with Elite Traveler.
Grover (who is British born-and-bred) has led the kitchens at London’s Art Deco icon 45 Park Lane (including the hotel’s flagship CUT restaurant) for the best part of a year. Previously he also worked in celebrated establishments across the British capital, according to the article.
Let's take a look at what was on the menu during the 95th Academy Awards.
Hot dishes included mini fish and chips, cacio e pepe macaroni and cheese, sliders with fries, and chicken potpie, according to an article with Today.
"Wolfgang wanted a menu that represents the UK and I’m just trying to put CUT London on the map and share my personality…I’m starting with fish and chips, then a beautiful chicken pie,” Grover said in the article for Elite Traveler. "Dessert was a classic trifle, complete with a cherry on top."
New this year was a food station featuring beef Wellington (a hearty beef fillet surrounded by a mushroom mixture and baked in puff pastry).
The evening's meal began with fish and chips, then chicken pot pie, amd finished with a classic trifle. Photo courtesy ©Dorchester Collection
The chicken pot pie was finished tableside with black truffle. Photo courtesy ©Dorchester Collection
The fish and chips course was served as a snack. Photo courtesy ©Dorchester Collectio
Beef Wellington was also part of Elliott Grover's menu, shown during the 95th Oscars Governors Ball preview at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on March 7, 2023 in Hollywood, CA. Photo courtesy Rodin Eckenroth / AFP via Getty Images
Following the ceremony, Wolfgang Puck himself once again took the reins (with the help of Wolfgang Puck Catering's vice president of culinary Eric Klein) to craft delectable bites. These included a taro root taco with charred pineapple “al pastor,” shallot and cilantro puri (an Indian deep-fried bread) with sumac hummus, a house made “ranch dusted” taco, which boasted jackfruit carnitas and salsa verde and much more, according to Today article.
The grazing table featured cow, goat, and sheep's milk cheeses, as well as almonds, jams, and charcuterie. The small plates included cold dishes like a poached pear with burrata, pear butter, arugula, and beet napoleon salad (with goat cheese, soft herbs, and a citrus shallot vinaigrette), according to Today.
The food display as seen during the preview of the "Governors Ball," the celebration immediately following the Oscars at The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, CA, on March 7, 2023. Valerie Macon / AFP via Getty Images
Heart of Palms salad at the 95th Oscars Governors Ball preview at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on March 7, 2023 in Hollywood, CA. Rodin Eckenroth / AFP via Getty Images
Beet Napoleon Salad on display at the 95th Oscars Governors Ball preview at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on March 7, 2023 in Hollywood, CA. Rodin Eckenroth / AFP via Getty Images
Chocolate cigars were this year's surprise dessert (as seen during preview of the "Governors Ball" at The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, CA, on March 7, 2023). Valerie Macon / AFP via Getty Images
