Wolfgang Puck Reveals His New Dishes for the 97th Oscars Governors Ball

Yahoo

27-02-2025

Chef Wolfgang Puck and his culinary team are back for the 31st annual Oscars Governors Ball — where they'll be serving his beloved staples alongside some inventive new dishes. (Read Puck's history of catering the Governors Ball here.)
"We always have some new things but people really like the tradition a lot," the legendary chef told Los Angeles at the Oscars Governors Ball preview on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
"We have to make our chicken pot pie, for Prince Albert and Barbra Streisand in case she shows up, but many other people too. And then we have new dishes, like this year, we have the [Pad] Thai noodles, and we make them with ginger, garlic and a little Champagne," he said as poured the alcohol into a sizzling stir-fry.
"I love Asian influence," said Puck regarding the cultural twist this year. "We have Chinois, our Asian restaurant, and then we have Merois at the Pendry hotel. I've always loved Asian food — I love spices."
Asian food is highlighted across this year's menu with small plate stations featuring sushi and sashimi alongside izakaya favorites like chicken karaage. This will complement tray-passed items like Duck Bao Buns and Miso Cod Lettuce Wraps.
Among the standby favorites are his signature Smoked Salmon Oscar Matzohs, Aged White Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Pea Agnolotti Pasta.
Another returning dish, which Eric Klein, Senior Vice President of Culinary-Partner of Wolfgang Puck Catering, presided over at the preview, is the Miyazaki Wagyu — "which is one our favorite beefs [we've had] for the last five-six years already, people love it, so we have to do it all the time," Puck said.
Chef Elliot Grover (who oversees Cut at 45 Park Lane) will join forces with Puck for the third time in a row to bring "a taste of London" to Hollywood.
'Elliot is doing the Beef Wellington," Puck said, "and one of his famous [dishes] in England — fish and chips: it's nice and crispy fish with some good potatoes."
In addition to the usual comfort food options, the chef and his catering team have added special "Late-Night Classics" to the menu, with bites like sliders, chicken tenders and french fries. "We're going to make some bar food," Klein chimed in.
The culinary experience is topped off with an extensive dessert menu: pastries, ice cream, cookies, bonbons and the iconic golden chocolate Oscar.
"We have many desserts," Puck says. "Even from Austria we have the apple strudel — this is really delicious with marzipan ice cream.'
To pair with Puck's curated menu are signature cocktails from Tequila Don Julio, created by famed mixologist Charles Joly and 2024's World Best Bar Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City.
The "Standing Ovation" cocktail is a take on the espresso martini — made with Tequila Alma Miel, and rimmed with gold, smoked sea-salt and vanilla, and another favorite is "The Clear Winner" (with Tequila Don Julio Reposado, hibiscus tea, tamarind syrup, lime juice, and grapefruit juice), alongside a Gimlet.
"I wanted to create something that was people-pleasing," said Handshake's mixologist Eric Van Beek. "Even if you like boozy drinks, the drinks we created are easy-going."
Wines for the evening are from returning French partner Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon: Clarendelle Bordeaux Blanc 2023 (white), Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015 (a red) and a new Clarendelle Bordeaux Rose 2022 — alongside a Clarendelle Amberwine 2021 to pair with desserts.
And for the first year, Champagne Lallier will be the exclusive Champagne featured at all Oscars events and the Oscars are adding a sake partner for the Governors Ball as well (to complement Puck's Asian additions).
The 97th Oscars premieres live this Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST on ABC.