Host An Oscar Party Like A Hollywood Insider

Have you ever wanted to throw one of those fabulous Oscar parties you read about in Vanity Fair? Luxe File Chicago did, so we consulted with fête aficionados, Rachel Schwanz and Corey Sanford, who have each catered and DJ'd some of the most spectacular celebrations our city has ever seen. Grab your Mont Blanc and take some notes.

Rachel Schwanz of the Entertaining Company

If there is one woman who knows how to throw a party, it's caterer and event planner extraordinaire, Rachel Schwanz, whose posh parties are always the talk of the town. We caught up with Rachel, who's working with Vital Bridges on their private Oscar party - this event is so private only forty guests have been invited! - to ask what tips she would give for hosting a Hollywood-style Oscar party at home.

Make Your Home "Oscar-Ready": Gold linen. Gold confetti. Gold glassware. Gold seats! Even if you have to hijack chairs from neighbors, seating is key. No one likes to stand that long. And, of course, you'll need a TV. Multiple would be ideal.

Oscar Party Must Haves: Ballots for all to vote and well-dressed, good-looking guests. Clearly.

Menu: I love themes and for an Oscar event, I would suggest creating a gold and white buffet. Make things in the shape of stars or even the shape of the Oscar award. Cue the Oscar Cookie Cutter! This can be used for sweet or savory items alike. Think crackers, cookies, even tortilla chips. If you’re good with a pastry bag, try making cookies. I would also suggest serving a Golden Egg. You can buy these - a hollowed out egg shell dipped in gold paint. I serve all kinds of things in them - soups, ceviche, puddings. I would also recommend Lemon Tarts, Smoked Salmon, Pear & Gorgonzola skewers, and Vanilla Cupcakes are lovely, too.

Go for the Gold: Pear Skewers with Honey and Gorgonzola,

Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets and Golden Eggs filled with White Chocolate Mousse

Here are a few tasty suggestions Rachel thinks you and your friends will love. Serving delectable, thoughtfully-prepared dishes like these will do more than just impress your friends - they'll win you the award for Best Oscar Party. Ever!

Sweet:

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Golden Eggs filled with White Chocolate Mousse

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Creme Brulee in Asian Spoon with Caramel Twirl

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White Chocolate Kisses in Gold Leaf

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Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets

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Coconut Buttercream Snowball Cupcakes with pool of Apricot Preserves and Edible Gold Flowers on Buttercream

Savory:

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Pear Skewers with Honey and Gorgonzola

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Lime Grilled Shrimp in Asian Slaw in Chinese Takeout Containers

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Waffle Chip with Smoked Salmon, Golden Caviar and Creme Fraiche

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Duck Bundles with Mango Chutney

Beverages and Specialty Cocktails: Champagne. Oscar-tini. Golden Fizz. Star Power. Remember to keep to your theme.

Background Music: Playing the movie soundtracks is an option but I prefer French lounge music!

Party Favors: Take those Oscar-shaped cookies you made, put them in a cellophane bag, tie with a gold ribbon and send them home with friends. If the cookies don’t pan out, you can always order the Oscar cookie cutter (below) for each guest to take home. Tie cutters to splits of champagne for a truly memorable gift.

Host/Hostess Attire: Cocktail. Glitter. Both! I’ll be donning a gold sequin top (and a chef’s coat)!

Rachel Schwanz's Perfect Party Advice: Have plenty of food and beverage. No one wants to make a run to the store and you certainly don’t want the party to die while you’re doing so! Keep the cocktails flowing and you will be fine.

If you have questions for Rachel Schwanz, please contact her at rachel@entertainingcompany.com. For more information about the Entertaining Company, click HERE.

DJ Corey Sanford

Music enhances any party setting but you may choose to forego the tunes to keep the attention on the Oscar action. We wanted some background music so we asked Corey Sanford, the artistic genius behind Music Masters Entertainment, what songs he would suggest we play. He turned us on to the Tru Music Official Podcast - Episode 6. This one-hour set is a compilation of electronic remixes of our favorite dance songs including:

N.E.R.D & Daft Punk - "Hypnotize You"
Jody Wisternoff - "Won't Let You Down"
Everything But The Girl - "Missing" - Freddy LaGrande remix 2010
David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi - "Memories"
Chromeo - "Night By Night"
B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams - "Airplanes"
Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull - "I Like It" - DJ Chuckie remix
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Other Side" - Funkerman remix
Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette - "Hello"
The Black Eyed Peas - "The Time"
Supafly - "Get Down Tonight"
U2 - " Magnificent" - Dave Aude remix
Nadia Ali - "Rapture" - Avcili remix 2010

Click HERE to go to directly to the Tru Music Official Podcast.

To book Corey Sanford for future events, call Music Masters Entertainment at 312-835-7023 or visit the Website.