8 Oscar-worthy snack and drink pairings
By Dana Moran on Feb. 21, 2017Which flick will take home Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards, airing live on Sunday, Feb. 26? No matter which film rises to the top, the event's suspense creates the perfect occasion to gather diners together to watch the action.
FSDs can get customers in the mood with awards-themed events in the days ahead of the Oscars. For menu ideas, FoodService Director paired some popular nominees and winners from years past (all available for streaming on Netflix) with appetizers, sweets and drinks from our Recipedia database, sure to please diners in senior living, colleges and beyond.
1. “Shakespeare in Love” and Green Tea and Rosemary Spritzer
Dame Judi Dench won a Best Supporting Actress trophy after appearing for only eight minutes in this 1998 Best Picture winner. This straightforward tea treat from Eric Eisenberg, corporate executive chef at Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center, likewise comes together in a short amount of time, as the tea steeps for just three minutes. The option to add sweetener or citrus makes it a treat for a variety of tastes.
2. “The Jungle Book” and Vegetable Pakora
The 2016 live adaptation of the classic stories of the Indian jungle is nominated this year for its visual effects; the movie’s animals and jungle setting were created in CGI in post-production. These fried Indian snacks, from the University of Colorado at Boulder, likewise may transport customers from the dining room to India, with classic flavors of garam masala, turmeric and coriander.
3. “Amelie” and Gougeres
This whimsical French flight of fancy, nominated for best foreign film in 2001, doesn’t take itself too seriously. These light, cheesy French puffs, from New York restaurateur and chef Terrance Brennan, are simple to prepare—even if guests might struggle with the pronunciation.
4. “Lilo and Stitch” and Shrimp Ceviche
The Hawaiian setting of this Disney movie, nominated for best animated film in 2002, might inspire cravings of fresh fruits and seafood. This tropical ceviche—created at Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft LLP, a New York law firm—checks both boxes, and it’s presented in 2-ounce martini shooters, making it easy to serve and eat.
5. “Working Girl” and Crunchy Chicken Cheddar Wrap
What does a working girl like 1989 Oscar nominee Melanie Griffith’s character carry in her lunchbox? A wrap, naturally. This University of Kansas favorite spices things up with a jalapeno-cheddar tortilla, and is good fuel for diners with dreams of big career success in their heads.
6. “E.T.” and Gluten-free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
While E.T.’s favorite food is Reese’s Pieces, diners might be looking for a treat with less candy coating. These gluten-free cookies from the University of Rochester bring the same chocolate and peanut butter flavors showcased in the four-time Oscar winner, without the prospect of melting in customers’ hands.
7. “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Caribbean Falafels
Falafel and the Caribbean might sound as odd a combination as Johnny Depp and eyeliner, but this eye-catching dish from Chef Claudia Krevat of Claudia’s Mesa in Bozeman, Mont., is an interesting twist on the traditional. Black chickpeas lend the falafels their blue-black tint, and plantains bring a hint of sweetness.
8. “The Princess Bride” and Red Grape Lavender Soda
This swashbuckling fantasy, which snagged a best song nom in 1988, has many memorable scenes, but one of the first that comes to mind is the wine-swap scene. While there’s no alcohol in this fizzy grape drink from Chef Scott Samuel at the Culinary Institute of America, imaginative diners can still use it to recreate the moment.