Austrian-born chef Wolfgang Puck, owner of the international restaurant chain Spago, has been responsible since 1995 for creating the menu that is served to celebrities and VIP guests at the ball following the film industry's most famous award ceremony. Every year, more than a hundred chefs work under his hands to make everything perfect at this reception.
This year's novelty is that, in addition to the already familiar Wolfgang Puck signature dishes, traditional Hungarian dishes will be served for the first time on Monday, March 28 at the event, the Spago restaurant in Budapest told MTI.
As they emphasized, a Hungarian chef cooks Hungarian dishes for the first time at the party following the presentation of the Oscars.
"I was thinking about dishes that are emblematic of Hungarian cuisine. In the end, the chicken with paprika, the wild game, the Eszterházy cake and the Somló dumpling were the runners-up"
– quotes István Szántó in the announcement. As he added: “I knew there were a lot of safety and logistical aspects to consider. Have raw materials for the meals on site as well. Easy to eat, these dishes must be prepared in small portions, with an aesthetic presentation, and in amazing quantities. We prepare 800 portions of game and 350-350 portions of other foods. Although it is about catering, solemnity and elegance are important because of the award ceremony," said the chef.
Wolfgang Puck and István Szántó thought of fusion solutions: the ingredients were obtained from the famous Santa Monica farmers' market, but the Spago Budapest chef brought the real Hungarian paprika with him from his home country.
István Szántó/Source: Spago restaurant
It is made from wild wagyu beef and will be served with a dumpling filled with ricotta and a mustard seed sauce. In this way, a traditional dish from Wolfgang Puck's native country, Austria, could also be included in the dish. The chicken paprikash prepared in the traditional way is rolled in dough, so when served, the end result will resemble a spring roll. Paprika sauce is added.
The Somló dumpling is presented as a walnut-shaped, golden bonbon, and the Eszterházy cake is made based on a traditional recipe and presented in the most traditional way - the announcement describes the planned dishes.
According to Wolfgang Puck, “the after-party for the world's biggest awards show is the most important social event on the West Coast, where food, fashion, culture, film and music meet. I am proud that the head chef of my first Spago restaurant opened in Europe is also here with me, because through him a special world, Hungarian culture, will also be able to appear. When I tasted István's vadas version, I simply fell in love with it. And I'm sure that the stars will be the same with this," he praised the work of the Hungarian chef.
Source and full article: origo.hu
Featured image: hirado.hu/MTI
