Inside the Oscars After-Party Feast: 2,000 Chocolate Oscars and 600 Pizzas on the Menu

When the red carpet appears at the famous Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the world usually focuses on dazzling outfits, emotional speeches and golden trophies. But once the ceremony of the Academy Awards ends, another impressive operation quietly begins. Feeding around 1,500 celebrities at the official after party is no small task.

Behind this massive culinary event is celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who has been responsible for the menu at the Governors Ball for more than three decades. For the 2026 celebration, the renowned chef once again led a huge team to prepare a feast worthy of Hollywood’s biggest night.

The Chef Behind Hollywood’s Biggest Party

Wolfgang Puck is widely known as one of the most celebrated chefs in the world. Born in Austria, he began training in professional kitchens when he was just 14 years old. Over the years he built a reputation for blending luxury with comfort, which is exactly what the Oscars after party demands.

For this year’s event, Puck assembled a culinary team of around 120 chefs. Among them were 75 chefs focused on savoury dishes and another 45 dedicated to desserts and pastries. Together they created a menu with more than 70 different dishes designed to satisfy guests who have just sat through a long awards ceremony.

Comfort Food With a Luxury Twist

After a three hour show, most celebrities are ready for a proper meal. Instead of overly complicated dishes, Puck focuses on what he calls elegant comfort food. These are familiar flavours prepared with premium ingredients.

Some classics have become a tradition at the Governors Ball. His famous chicken pot pie topped with black truffles remains one of the most anticipated dishes of the night. Another popular bite is the Oscar shaped smoked salmon cracker topped with caviar.

For guests looking for something more filling, the kitchen prepares impressive quantities of food. The team cooks around 90 kilograms of steak and serves nearly 600 wood fired pizzas throughout the night.

Global Flavours Join the Menu

The menu continues to evolve each year with new international influences. For the 2026 celebration, a Japanese Izakaya style station was introduced where chefs grilled seafood live for guests.

There was also a premium sushi bar where five chefs prepared fresh nigiri throughout the evening. This mix of global cuisine ensures that guests from all over the world can find something they enjoy.

Champagne, Cocktails and Golden Desserts

Drinks at the after party are just as extravagant as the food. Guests reportedly enjoy around 7,000 glasses of champagne during the celebration, along with thousands of bottles of Don Julio tequila.

To add a creative twist, renowned mixologist Lorenzo Antinori from Bar Leone created a special cocktail called “The Sequel.” The drink is an espresso martini finished with edible gold paint, giving it a glamorous touch that fits perfectly with the Oscars theme.

Dessert lovers also have plenty to look forward to. An Italian gelato machine produces fresh ice cream throughout the night, and guests can enjoy apple strudel based on a recipe from Puck’s own mother.

However, the highlight of the dessert table is undoubtedly the mini chocolate Oscars. Around 2,000 of these chocolate statues are prepared and dusted with real 24 carat gold. For many guests, it is the closest they will come to taking home a golden trophy.

A Thoughtful Ending to a Grand Night

While the after party is known for its luxury, there is also a thoughtful side to the operation. Once the celebration ends, leftover food is carefully packed and donated to communities in need.

Large portions of the remaining meals are sent to the Skid Row area, helping support people facing food insecurity. It is a simple but meaningful way to ensure that the extravagance of Hollywood’s biggest night also benefits others beyond the red carpet.

In the end, the Governors Ball is not just a celebration of cinema. It is also a remarkable display of culinary planning, creativity and generosity that continues long after the awards are handed out.