First-Time Oscar Viewing Dinner a Winner

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The Ritter family arrives at the Roger Neal Style Hollywood Academy Awards Viewing Dinner

The Ritter family arrives at the Roger Neal Style Hollywood Academy Awards Viewing Dinner

Centerpieces of large, fragrant red roses adorned all the beautifully set tables at Roger Neal Style Hollywood’s Oscar viewing dinner and party.

It was manager/publicist Neal’s first time putting on a black-tie Academy Awards soiree at the Hollywood Museum, right across the street from the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars were taking place.

The location couldn’t have been more perfect. The four-story museum is filled with Hollywood memorabilia, including artifacts from some of this year’s nominees.

From the red carpet, guests were whisked up to the private ballroom in a freight elevator—equipped with a full bar and a video screen playing classic movies and clips from Oscars of yore. If one were ever to get stuck in an elevator, this would be the one.

 

 

Among the 250 invited guests, two Oscar winners—George Chakiris (1961) and Margaret O’Brien (1944), both looking marvelous—and in a celebratory mood. That was also because they both received the Icon Award, along with actor Paul Sorvino, who regaled the crowd with an opera aria before the ceremonies began. Other guests included Barbara Eden, Sheryl Lee Ralph, the Pointer Sisters, Dawn Wells, Amy Yasbeck and Jason and Tyler Ritter.

Yasbeck, the widow of actor John Ritter, along with the Ritter family were grateful that proceeds benefited the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health.

George Chakiris accepts the Icon Award

George Chakiris accepts the Icon Award

Other beneficiaries of the event, sponsored by DaTang International Entertainment and Desert Rock Entertainment, were the Andy Transplant Foundation, Safety Harbor Kids and three-time Oscar nominee Diane Ladd’s Arts and Culture Task Force.

At each place setting was a gold chocolate Oscar statuette, handmade by Glamour Bombonier Brazilian Sweets.

Chef Kurt Ehrlich, who served as chef to presidents Reagan, Ford and Nixon, prepared a festive meal for the occasion, delivered by white-gloved servers. It began with a grilled vegetable salad, then a seafood mélange with bay scallops, clam, and crab. The main course was Ehrlich’s take on surf and turf, with tender sliced steak and a piece of grilled salmon accompanied by corn, roasted potato, and a stuffed tomato filled with steamed spinach.

 

The dessert, served just before the best picture winner was announced: a pound cake trifle with mocha mousse and whipped cream, served in a tall martini glass.

Margaret O'Brien and Roger Neal

Margaret O’Brien and Roger Neal

Lorimar Wines provided the libations with the vineyard’s 2010 Grenache Rose and its sparking rose wine. For those who preferred cocktails, Savile Premium Rumtini was a sweet delight.

As was the entire Oscar evening at what will very likely become a legacy event on Hollywood’s biggest night.

 

 

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Author: Hillary Atkin

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