Kamal Ghorui
When the red carpet rolls out at the Dolby Theatre, all we see is the glamour, the gowns, and the golden statues. But behind the scenes of the 98th Academy Awards, there is another massive operation happening: making sure 1,500 of the world’s most famous people don’t go home hungry.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to feed Hollywood’s elite, the answer lies with one man: Wolfgang Puck. This year marks his 32nd time catering the Governors Ball (the official after-party), and he’s not just serving a meal – he’s managing a culinary army.
The Man Behind the Menu
Wolfgang Puck is a legend for a reason. He started training in kitchens in Austria at just 14 years old and has spent over three decades becoming the “chef to the stars.” For the 2026 Oscars, he brought in a team of 120 chefs (75 for the savory dishes and 45 just for pastry) to pull off a menu that features over 70 different items.
What’s on the Plate?
After a three-hour ceremony, most celebs are reportedly famished. Puck leans into what he calls “fancy comfort food”—the stuff people actually want to eat when the cameras are off.The Classics: You can’t have an Oscars party without his signature Chicken Pot Pie (topped with black truffles) or the Oscar-shaped smoked salmon crackers with caviar.The Heavy Hitters: His team is prepping about 90 kilos of steak and serving up 600 wood-fired pizzas.Global Flavors: New for 2026 is a live Japanese Izakaya station featuring grilled seafood, alongside a high-end sushi bar where five chefs hand-roll nigiri all night.
The Drinks and the “Gold” Finish
To wash it all down, the numbers are staggering:7,000 glasses of champagne and thousands of bottles of Tequila Don Julio.Mixologist Lorenzo Antinori (from Hong Kong’s world-famous Bar Leone) was flown in to craft a cocktail called “The Sequel”—an espresso martini with edible gold paint.And for the sweet tooth? There’s an Italian gelato machine churning fresh ice cream and an apple strudel made from Puck’s own mother’s recipe. But the real showstopper is the 2,000 mini chocolate Oscars dusted in actual 24-karat gold. It’s the only way most people in that room are guaranteed to go home with a “gold” statue.
The Best Part: No Waste
One of the most human touches of Puck’s operation is what happens when the party ends. He’s confirmed that all leftover food is packed up and sent to Skid Row to help those in need, ensuring that the luxury of the night serves a bigger purpose.
