THE ACADEMY AWARDS were over, but the night had only just begun. Under the glow of chandeliers and the glint of golden statuettes, Hollywood’s finest gathered around an extravagant dinner table. The menu? A carefully curated homage to the films that had just won big at the 97th Oscars. It was a night where cinema met cuisine, where storytelling unfolded not just through words and images, but through taste, scent, and texture.
If you’re looking to bring the magic of the Oscars to your own table, here’s a menu that embodies the spirit of this year’s most celebrated films and performances.
Exotic Dancer’s Delight – A Fiery, Spiced Skewer Platter
🔥 Paired with: Mikey Madison (Best Actress, Anora)
A dish as bold and unpredictable as the character of Ani—these skewers are marinated with smoky spices and a touch of reckless abandon. Every bite teases the palate with heat and intensity, much like Madison’s electrifying performance.
The Architect’s Feast – Slow-Cooked Hungarian Goulash
🥘 Paired with: Adrien Brody (Best Actor, The Brutalist)
Deep, rich, and layered, this slow-simmered Hungarian goulash tells a story of resilience—just like The Brutalist. Steeped in smoky paprika and served with crusty bread, it’s a dish that unfolds with every bite, much like Brody’s brooding portrayal of László Tóth.
Passionfruit Bravado – A Golden Margarita with a Tropical Twist
🍹 Paired with: Zoe Saldaña (Best Supporting Actress, Emilia Pérez)
Vibrant, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore, this passionfruit margarita mirrors the fire of Emilia Pérez. A burst of bright citrus with just the right amount of bite, it’s as bold as Saldaña’s unforgettable performance.
The Forbidden Fruit – A Crimson Berry Panna Cotta
🍓 Paired with: The Substance (Best Makeup and Hairstyling)
Glossy, rich, and eerily seductive—this blood-red panna cotta embodies The Substance’s unnerving transformation. The silky texture lures you in, the tartness of mixed berries lingers like an aftershock. A dish that looks beautiful but carries an unsettling bite, much like the film’s visceral horrors.
Emerald Green Risotto – A Dazzling Tribute to Wicked
🍚 Paired with: Wicked (Best Production Design)
Velvety, herb-laced, and glowing in emerald hues, this risotto feels like a trip down the yellow brick road itself. Earthy truffle and fresh basil add a touch of decadence, perfect for a world where magic and reality collide.
The Cardinal’s Banquet – Roast Quail with Truffle Jus
🍗 Paired with: The Conclave (Best Adapted Screenplay)
A dish fit for a high-stakes Vatican power play, this succulent roast quail—delicately seasoned and drizzled with a deep truffle jus—echoes the opulence and tension of The Conclave. Small in size but rich in complexity, it’s the perfect embodiment of a film where every move is calculated, and every flavour carries weight.
The River’s Embrace – Poached Salmon with Citrus Beurre Blanc
🐟 Paired with: Flow (Best Animated Feature Film)
This delicately poached salmon dish mirrors the fluid journey of Flow. The silky citrus beurre blanc evokes the film's serene yet unpredictable aquatic landscapes, while the harmonious flavours reflect the unity and resilience displayed by the diverse animal characters as they navigate their submerged world.
The Bittersweet Ending – Dark Chocolate Tart with a Sharp Citrus Kick
🍫 Paired with: Kieran Culkin (Best Supporting Actor, A Real Pain)
A dessert that lingers—rich, velvety chocolate meets a bittersweet citrus twist, much like A Real Pain’s exploration of grief and family ties. The first bite is comforting, the aftertaste unforgettable.
The Perfect Oscars Feast: A Celebration of Cinema and Cuisine
A night of cinema deserves a meal to match. From the smoky heat of a skewer platter to the slow-cooked depths of Hungarian goulash, these dishes don’t just accompany the Oscars’ biggest winners—they embody them.
So whether you’re toasting with a golden margarita or savouring a spoonful of truffle-infused risotto, let this be a reminder: great films, like great meals, stay with you long after the night is over.