And The Oscar Goes To...

My very favorite party of the year! An Academy Awards Viewing Party with a thematic menu, featuring courses inspired by each of the ten 'Best Picture' nominees. And this year, having teamed up with Amy, who made incredible ballots and film-inspired decor, it was the very best. I can't lie or feign modesty, this party gets me pretty excited and worked up. Going into the night, my favorite idea was for Inception: a Turducken (a thing inside of a thing inside of a thing)!! A close second: The King's Speech with Tongue Tea Sandwiches (surprisingly delicious). And the most fun? Toy Story 3's Little Kid Dessert Bar (see details and all other courses below). And new this year? A Documentary Drinks Menu (e.g. dirty martini for Inside Job and virgin mint tea for Restrepo). Amy printed mini film posters to label the food and placed movie stills throughout the party. Um, she also had a little Oscar stamp made and got pretty carried away with gold embossing (show-off). Favors? Popcorn and candy bags for a home movie night. If I could throw such a thematic party every week, I'd pretty much live in a state of ecstasy. I'm already excited to start going to movies and get inspired for next year!!!

The Menu

BLACK SWAN

'Dancers' Crudites with Black Olive Tapenade and White Bean Dip'

THE FIGHTER

'Cracked Out Crostini: Goat Cheese with Cracked Peppercorns and Cracked Fennel Seed'

BIUTIFUL

'Gambas al Ajillo'

KING'S SPEECH

'Tongue Tea Sandwiches'

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

'Open Face-book Lobster Rolls'

INCEPTION

'Turducken'

WINTER'S BONE

'Deconstructed Deer Stew with Venison Sausages'

127 HOURS

'Arm of Pork Burritos with Guacamole, Fresh Cheese and Pickled Red Onion'

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

'Chipotle Kid (Goat) Meatballs with So-Cal Garden Cactus Salad'

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

'Painting the Roses Red Slaw'

TRUE GRIT

'True Grit Cakes with Whiskey Cowboy Beans'

TOYS STORY 3

'Little Kid Dessert Bar'

homemade

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Hostess Cupcakes

Rhubarb Pop Tarts

PB & J Cookie Sandwiches

Strawberry Fruit Leather

Dark Chocolate Pudding Cups