Chocolate Bark Oscar® Style is a Wolfgang Puck Favorite chocolate recipe. This elegant simple dish is a great desert at any Oscar party. You can get the same chocolate on Amazon. Then let the creating start.
Chocolate Bark Recipe
The 95th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
Stay tuned here for all things Oscars® 2023 from nominations to award night.
The Winter Garden is the Golden Globes theme for this dinner party. This year’s dinner brings a new Executive Chef and first ever gluten-free dessert.
Executive Chef Matthew Morgan
Golden Globe Awards Dinner in the Winter Garden
Executive Chef Matthew Morgan
Executive Pastry Chef Thomas Henzi
Golden Globe Awards Dinner in the Winter Garden
Golden Globe Awards Dinner in the Winter Garden
Menu
Matthew Morgan, first time as the Executive Chef for Golden Globes, creates a menu using fresh ingredients from his own garden. The evening will have 10,000 meals served. The menu includes:
Appetizer
Sweet Potato Vichyssoise
Wild Micro Chives, Golden Leeks, Organic Red Garnet Yams, and Roasted Pepitas
Entrée
Chilean Seabass
Forbidden Black Rice, White & Green Asparagus, Globe Carrots, Crispy Herb Leaves, and Sweet Pepper Concasse.
Vegetarian Entrée
Stuffed Honeynut Squash
Local Organic Honeynut Squash, Piquillo Pepper Hummus, Braised Rainbow Chard, Crispy Chickpeas, Quinoa, Golden Raisins, and Sunflower Sprouts
Thomas Henzi, the Pastry Chef, creates the first ever gluten-free dessert. This is a flourless chocolate cake with a white chocolate cheesecake, cherry, blackberry, pistachio cream, and Amaretto.
Dessert
Pistachio Cream Cheese Ivory
Flourless Chocolate, Vanilla Kirsch Genoise, and Cream Cheese Charlotte Pistachio Center
Moët & Chandon champagne, the official champagne of the Golden Globes, is serving a champagne cocktail that transports guests to South America. The cocktail created by actress Camilla Belle from her Brazilian heritage. They will serve over 500 cocktails.
Michael Uncapher, from Mark’s Garden, talks about the decor and flowers. They are doing a Golden Globe statue out of flowers, a great option for celebrity selfies. The color and flower for the night are yellow tulips and roses with a modern clean look.
Recipes
Moet Belle
1oz Cachaça
0.75oz mango juice
0.5oz ginger syrup
0.25oz fresh lime juice
2.5oz Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial
Edible flower to garnish
Shake the first four ingredients together with ice.
Strain into a coupe and top with Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut.
Garnish with an edible tropical flower or tropical flower decoration and serve.
The Golden Globes hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg Jan. 6, 2019 at 8 PM EST on NBC from the Beverly Hills Hilton. Stay tuned here for complete Golden Globes coverage. See the list of nominees here.
Chocolate is a scrumptious addition to any meal, from appetizers, to main dishes, and especially desserts. Road tripping across the US we found some exceptional chocolate treats and so much more.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
Super excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant. This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb is warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC. I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Moline Illinois
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery in Moline IL is worth a diversion on any road trip. It is operated by 4th generation of Tom Lagomarcino Sr. They received a James Beard Award in 2006.
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Soda ShopJames Beard AwardLagomarcino’s Confectionery fudge sauce Dad at Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Moline IL Lagomarcino’s Confectionery
This 110-year-old soda shop is a true find in the middle of nowhere. They have the true old-fashioned feel. The have a soda counter, sandwich shop, homemade ice cream, and beautiful chocolates. The originals owners meet at a soda shop and married in 1949. They had six children and they were famous for their fudge sauce. The shop started reselling the fudge sauce with their 100-year anniversary.
Taking my father here was such a treat. He recalled the stories of going to soda shop his uncle owned as a child. He talked about Ironport soda, a Utah tradition. It is a cross between root beer and Caribbean spices. He went for the hot fudge sundae (a surprise at the bottom was more fudge).
I went for their famous chocolate shake. We took salted caramel milk chocolates, dark marble truffle, pumpkin fudge chocolate, coconut dark chocolate, tiramisu dark chocolate truffle, and orange peel for the road. A few went home to mother.
The decor in the store is old newspaper headliners. Handcrafted mahogany booths to enjoy your sandwich, soda, and dessert. The had beautiful marbled truffles. It was a true sensory experience with the sights, sounds, and smells. They were fabulous.
Sweet Shoppe Candy Store Flagstaff Arizona
Exploring Route 66 in the infamous town of Flagstaff AZ there is the Sweet Shoppe Candy Store. This fudge shop with a lollipop garden, taffy, homemade fudge, covered apples with a vast variety, and scrumptious chocolates.
This store has many great old-fashion fun with a great modern twist. It is located on 15 E Aspen Ave right off Route 66. They have so much to select from. Foodie Ellie had a big interest in the fudge but went with a sprinkled covered marshmallow.
They have homemade gelato. The chocolate is creamy and sweet. The best was the chocolate covered caramel (homemade there) with sea salt sprinkled on top.
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Sweet Country Charm Payson Arizona
Sweet Country Charm Candy Shop
TheSweet Country Charm Candy Shop is a quant fudge shop in Payson Arizona is a sweet location. Taking the drive up from Phoenix to go from the Sonoran Desert to the high desert landscapes. It is a beautiful drive. This shop is located on the Beeline Highway. Entering the shop it is a location to meet and enjoy the treats.
The shop was a great location for local crafters to sell their artisan work. Customers would bring up the fudge shop that hd been there. Rebecca Acord, the shop owner, decided to take a few cooking classes and incorporate the fudge and treats with the art.
This sweet treat reminded me of fudge at Christmas as a child. It is creamy and smooth. The aroma of chocolate and sweet are immediate when entering the shop. The visual is colorful and enticing. The sounds of community members talking about local news fills the room. The touch of the fudge is not crumbly but firm. The taste is incredible sweet and luscious. The varieties to choose from are a great treat to take home to enjoy later.
Just off the main street in Battle Ground is Battle Ground Sweet Shoppe & Bakery. Main street is very much the center of shopping local artisans and produce. You can enjoy a local bar, restaurant, and shopping exceptional creations and antiques. It is a great stroll of all that is old town in a small town.
Just off your stroll is the local sweet shop. This shop has a great selection of bar cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownie, ice cream bar, hot cocoa bombs, and more. Would not be a Pacific Northwest business without great coffee to enjoy with the desserts.
You are surrounded by baked sweets. There are so many to choose from you do not know what to choose. The pandemic has changed how many in the state are able to enjoy dinning. The treats are delicious and hand crafted. The location can manage weddings, catering, and just a sit down for dessert and coffee as you shop.
The atmosphere is a cozy and warm from the rainy winter day, this soon turned to 12″ of snow. The desserts went well with dinner. We enjoyed brownie, caramel toffee bar, and red velvet pop cakes.
Honeymoon Sweets Bakery & Dessert Bar Tempe Arizona
The honeymoon maybe over but the bakery and sweet creations continue at Honeymoon Sweets Bakery & Dessert Bar. This is a locally owned and operated business. Co-Owners and Bakers Tim and Joan O’Connor met in culinary school. They create cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, pies, tarts, and petit sweets.
They cater to major corporations, drop-by visitors, and special-event guests. The shop has a great display of goodies for the public to stop by for a treat or two. This is a fun place to stop for a treat or two or dessert for a dinner party. The treats are as tasty as they are beautiful.
Cincinnati Ohio, my niece and I stop by Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes. This was a delightful find in the lobby of the Hilton Netherlands Hotel lobby. This little shop has a variety of sweet and moist cupcakes. We enjoyed the coconut, black raspberry chip, red velvet, and peanut butter cup. They were perfect after a long of competition at the USA Gymnastics event.
This business is owned and operated by Nathan & Andrea Thompson (husband and wife). The name comes from their daughter, Abby Girl, she is the top taster for the cupcakes. The cupcakes are sweet and well-flavored.
This was a wonderful road trip in the Midwest especially seeing family. It is always good connecting with your brother and his family. They have six fantastic children. Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract to the rescue it saved the hotel white towels. It was a wonderful time traveling through the Midwest. There is plenty to see and do from art to culture and outdoor adventures. It is a beautiful part of the country with friendly people.
General Store in Summerhaven ArizonaFudge at the General Store Fudge Shop in Summerhaven Arizona
Fudge Shop
Getting to the top of Mount Lemmon is a great little spot to shop, eat, and get a little sweet treat. This general store has some great snacks, a few souvenirs, and fresh fudge. The tradition of a sweet shop on your adventures that are so fun and memorable.
What is your favorite local sweet shop? Post your answer here.
Wilmington North Carolina is history, fabulous food, sea, beaches, and boardwalks. The town is celebrating 275 years of rich history of food and life in America. One of the most southeastern cities in the US is a great escape for a beautiful vacation.
Explorations
Battleship North Carolina Wilmington NC
Battleship North Carolina Wilmington NC
This ship begs visitors to come aboard. It is visible from downtown. In 1960 the ship commissioned to honor the men that served and keep the ship’s history.
Battleship North Carolina was the first to be constructed in sixteen years in New York in 1937. The history during wartime is 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines. This ship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific and saving the carrier Enterprise. The ship earned 15 battle stars. They only lost ten men in action and 67 injuries.
Exploring the ship you get a sense of daily life and a feel for battle. It is cramped and you do have to go up and down stairs to see the ship so proper footwear is important. It makes you think about being out to sea for months on end with the same people, cramped quarters, and war around you. This is a must see when coming to town.
Cape Fear River Wilmington NC
Cape Fear River Wilmington NC
This river is the connection to the Atlantic Ocean. This river brings ships from all over the world to Wilmington. There are many restaurants that have great views of the river and sunsets. It is a fun place to enjoy a good pub crawl, but most bars in the area do not have happy hours.
For centuries this port has brought Europeans to America. Cape Fear River was often used for fleeing slaves to escape slavery. Orange Street is where 22 slaves escaped to freedom by way of the Cape Fear River. Orange Street place designated in 2005 by the National Park Service as part of its National Underground Railroad Network (click link to read about the Levi home) to Freedom Program. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program is to preserve and commemorate the history of the Underground Railroad.
There is plenty to see and do in Wilmington for families, history buffs, and couples from:
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has their own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Bar-b-que is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official bar-b-q.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
The staff is exceptional and give a lot of insight to the food and history. The food is a delicious find.
@4ChionLifestyle
Photo credit and travel collaboration Raymond L. Forchion Jr.
This year the Golden Globes present their golden anniversary. The evening is center for celebrities to honor top actors and have an exceptional party. This year’s menu is from Italy specifically where Chef Alberico Nunziata grew up, Sorrento, Italy. He brings an Italian farm to table menu to celebrate 75 years of Golden Globes.
The 75 Annual Golden Globe Awards Menu Preview. Photo: Magnus Sundholm for the HFPA.
He wanted to create a menu that will make everyone happy. He said, “Italian food makes people happy. Many ingredients coming directly from Italy. Nunziata’s menu begins with Risotto Made with Beets and the main course Chilean sea bass.
Executive Pastry Chef, Thomas Henzi. Photo: Magnus Sundholm for the HFPA.
Pastry chef Thomas Henz continues the celebration serving Efendi made with white chocolate coffee cream, coffee liqueur biscuit, Frangelico mascarpone, and hazelnuts. Henz says, “The desserts do you get eaten. The Golden Globes is a happy fun event.”
Moet Ambassador, Charlie Farrell. Photo: Magnus Sundholm for the HFPA.
The evening cocktails will round out appetizers, main course, and dessert. There is an official cocktail of the event created by Moët & Chandon is The Moët 75. This drink created to celebrate the Golden Globes Golden anniversary. This will take 1,500 Moët minis, 750 magnums, 500 champagne cocktails, and 125 cases of Moët & Chandon 2006 Grand Vintage Brut for the celebration.
Mark Held, co-owner of Mark’s Garden. Photo: Magnus Sundholm for the HFPA.
The decor is honoring the red carpet and Golden Anniversary. Centerpieces trimmed with diamonds to kind of represent the diamond anniversary and beautiful red and golden roses. This year’s florist Mark Held states, “I think we kind of got everything into the centerpiece. And we really worked hard on it, because we really wanted to express this is being a very special year,”
This year’s Golden Globes presented by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association will be a fantastic celebration. Tune in on January 7, 2018, on NBC with Seth Meyers hosting.
Recipes for Your Golden Globe Party
The official Cocktail for the Golden Anniversary.
The Moët 75
4 oz. Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut champagne
1 oz. Volcan de mi Tierra tequila
2 oz. fresh blood orange juice
1 oz. honey
Shake tequila, fresh blood orange juice, and honey into a cocktail shaker and mix until honey is dissolved. Pour mixture into a modern tulip glass. Gently pour chilled champagne. Serve straight up and garnish with a candied blood orange or fresh blood orange slice.
Epicurious has a perfect Beet Risotto recipe for your Golden Globe party.
4 teaspoons white wine or Champagne vinegar, divided, plus more
3 tablespoons heavy cream
4 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley, divided
2 ounces fresh goat cheese crumbled or parmesan cheese (optional)
PREPARATION
Bring broth and 5 cups water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer.
Meanwhile, peel beets, then coarsely shred using a food processor fitted with the shredder attachment or the large holes of a box grater.
Heat a large wide pot or sauté pan over medium-high. Cook butter and oil, stirring occasionally, until butter melts. Add onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add beets, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes more.
Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes, then add 1 1/2 cups broth, 3 tsp. vinegar, and 1 tsp. salt. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring constantly, until liquid has evaporated. Continue adding broth, 3/4 cup at a time as the rice absorbs liquid, stirring constantly and simmering until rice is tender, 30–40 minutes; season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper halfway through. About 2 minutes before rice is al dente, add cream, 2 Tbsp. parsley, remaining 1 Tsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
Divide among 4 plates or bowls, then top with goat cheese, if using, and remaining 2 Tbsp. parsley.
Following the Oscars® celebrities like Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Casey Affleck will gather at the Governors Ball. This year the top in the food, pastry, and design gather to showcase their talents. This year is a “Magical Transformation.”
Wolfgang Puck Oscars® Governors Ball
Chef Wolfgang Puck (23rd consecutive year), chef to the celebrities, will continue this year with whimsy and Hollywood glamour. He has a few traditions coming back with new additions. His executive chef works side-by-side with 300 chefs and 600 waiters to make sure that this evening goes off without a hitch.
New menu items will include Moroccan spiced Wagyu short rib topped with a parmesan funnel cake; taro root tacos with shrimp, mango, avocado and chipotle aioli; gnocchetti with braised mushrooms and cashew cream; lobster corn dogs; made-to-order sushi, custom poke bowls and an array of shellfish; plus selections of Puck’s signature dishes such as smoked salmon Oscars®, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, 2,600 lb. ice raw bar with poke, sushi and shellfish, truffle popcorn, and baked macaroni and cheese. The bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and small plate entrées will pass throughout the evening.
The cocktails and spirits the Oscar® winners and the guests will enjoy the evening theme. Piper Heidsieck champagne poured from Oscar® themed Magnum and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola wine. There will be three cocktails designed for Oscar® Gold that includes Hillhaven Lodge (director Brett Ratner’s Beverly Hills mansion’s name) Whiskey. The perfect combination for dinner and celebration.
What is dinner without dessert? Pastries prepared by the pastry team of Kamel Guechida, Monica Ng and Jason Lemmonier will make sure plenty playful innovative desserts for the evening celebration. This will include the much sought after 24 karat gold chocolate Oscar® statues, macaroons, lava cakes, seven flavors of gelato and sorbet, vanilla and red velvet waffles and Takoyaki cake balls. The chocolate buffet includes; caramel cappuccino Oscar® lollipops, Oreo cookie s’more domes and chocolate bonbons in “movie theater flavors” like Sour Patch Kids, Red Hots, and Goobers. A perfect ending to a night celebrating.
The Academy’s Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at the top-level of the Hollywood & Highland Center. Event producer Cheryl Cecchetto (her 28th year producing the Ball) along with her Sequoia Productions team will create a place to accommodate the expected 1500 guests from Oscar® recipients, nominees, and show presenters. The guest will enter the Ball, and “will transition from a dazzling sea of red to a tricolor motif of eye-popping gold and red on an infinite blanket of white. The unique design of the space has been meticulously created to celebrate Oscar® gold,” said Jeffrey Kurland.
Mark Held of Mark’s Garden Academy Awards
Academy Awards Governors Ball floral arrangements by Mark Held of Mark’s Garden. He has provided beauty for the Governors Ball for the past 22 years. The room and tables filled with beautiful white and red roses and magnolias. This will bring the final touch of glamor in the decor.
Cynthia Erivo Oscars® Governors Ball
The Governor, Kurland, works closely to oversee the menu, décor, and entertainment. This is Kurland’s eight year as the Governor. He is a costume designer and Oscar® nominee. Award-winning singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo is performing at the Governors Ball.
This year’s party is the celebration that is a Magical Transformation for Oscar Gold winners and guests. The 89th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.
Memorial Day is the first celebration of the summer holiday. Many spend their time at the poolside, beach, or picnicking. Food, family, and fun are key to this holiday.
This holiday celebration to honor those who have served and lost their lives protecting America. This holiday started shortly after the Civil War. We deeply appreciate the sacrifice of many and their families. This traditionally was known as decoration day. As a child I remember going to Almo, Idaho (a small town near the City of Rocks & Burly Idaho) to clean up the family cemetery and decorating the graves for Memorial Day.
Enjoying family traditions and recipes during Memorial Day weekend creates a connection between ourselves and those who went on before us. We all have those tried and true recipes that come with no recipe card. It is fun to create your own traditions and recipes for the holidays.
This Memorial Day our menu will include Ciabatta and Cherry Almond Bundt Cake. It is one last time before the summer heat to get a few great bakes created. Ciabatta is a great, simple bread to start learning to create your own loaves of bread. The bread created by Arnaldo Cavallari, a miller,in Verona, Veneto, Italy in 1982 as a response to the popular French baguettes. This is a perfect bread for transportation.
Place flour, yeast (on the right side of the flour), and salt (on the left side of flour) 1 1/2 cup water in mixer bowl. Begin mixing on low. When the dough begins to form drizzle remaining 1/2 cup into the bowl and raise mixer to the next level up. Mix the dough for 5-8 minutes. You will know it is ready when it is stretchy and smooth.
Place dough in a square plastic container (enough room for bread to rise) with side oiled with olive oil. The square container assists with keeping the bread the proper shape for baking. Place lid on top. The lid keeps the dry skin from forming while bread rises. Raise dough until double in size about 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 hours at room temperature.
Dust a workspace well with flour (the dough will be sticky). Allow for it to naturally fall out of the container onto a floured surface. Coat the top of the dough with more flour. Handle the dough very carefully, don’t pat back down. You want to keep as much air as possible in the dough. Cut the dough lengthways into 4 equal sized loaves. Slightly stretch each piece lengthways and place on oiled baking trays. Let rest 30-45 min on a baking sheet.
Pre-heat oven 425 degrees. Baked bread 25 min. until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool completely on wire racks.
You can make your own maraschino cherries (make two days in advance)
1 pint of sour cherries
1 cup maraschino liqueur (possible substitutes are Amaretto, Grand Marnier, or contact your local store for assistance)
Bring liqueur to a simmer. Turn off the heat, and add the cherries, stir, let cool, and pour into jars. Refrigerate. Make these a day or two before using. Cherries last for months.
1 Cup all-purpose white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup unsalted softened butter (do not microwave)
3/4 white sugar (pulse slightly in the food processor before measuring)
Zest of 1 lemon
1/8 cup plus 2 tsp. finely ground almonds
3 large eggs
Pre-heat oven 350 degrees. Fluff flour and baking powder until well mixed in a bowl. Add all ingredients except the cherries to the mixer bowl, mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Lightly fold cherries into batter. Place in a well butter bundt pan. Bake 25-45 min. When cooled and cake starts to pull from sides of pan remove from pan to cooling rack. Finish with Ganache and toasted almonds (place sliced almonds in a warmed pan and toss lightly until golden brown) on top.
In a heavy saucepan, bring heavy cream to boil. Turn off the heat. Add chopped chocolate pieces and let it rest until melted (this is key). Use a rubber spatula to stir the mixture until all the pieces are melted. Pour it into a room-temperature bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate ganache until it is firm.
The weekend meal included trout almondine, roasted garlic green beans, ciabatta bread, and cherry almond cake. A nice pinot noir is served with the meal.
May your holiday be filled with great memories and remember your lifestyle is worth the best.
