This week's roundup includes a peek inside the 2015 Oscar parties in Los Angeles, a giant pasta-theme sandcastle at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami, a vegetable-based sangria from a Chicago caterer, and snacks served on library carts in Toronto.
Pasta brand Ronzoni commissioned a cake-style sand sculpture to celebrate its 100th anniversary as part of the decor at the festival's Al Fresco Feast on February 19. The brand served as the Italian-theme event's title sponsor.
At the February 22 Oscar party in Los Angeles, Wolfgang Puck served an assortment of more than 50 dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to entrées. Per annual tradition, several dishes and desserts took the form of Oscar statuettes, including one made from salmon.
Guests left the pre-Oscar cocktail party at Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktails on February 20 in Los Angeles with M.A.C. gift boxes curated by Oscar-nominated makeup artists from The Grand Budapest Hotel (Frances Hannon) and Guardians of the Galaxy (Lizzie Yianni-Georgiou).
The 14th annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival took place Miami Beach February 19 to 22. Guests posed for photos in front of an arrivals wall composed of greenery and a floral interpretation of the festival's logo.
As title sponsor of the Burger Bash, another event at the South Beach event, Amstel Light had a diner-theme lounge with booth seating and a checkered floor. Activities at the nostalgically designed space included portraits drawn on napkins.
The Toronto Reference Library was lit up in pink lights for the February 5 black-tie affair. Paying tribute to the host location, servers dressed as librarians used book carts to deliver snacks.
A Perfect Event in Chicago creates custom "smoking punches" for all seasons. One that's particularly suited to October bashes is the "Zombie Punch," made with ingredients that include three types of rum, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, fresh lime juice, and Herbsaint liqueur.
Chicago catering company Limelight makes a summery drink that puts a spin on the usually fruity sangria. The Vegetable Sangria Punch incorporates white wine, fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, watermelon radish, and cucumber.
On February 18, the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount film Hot Tub Time Machine 2 took place at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood. The red-carpet entrance contained a unique element that was fitting for the film: A real, water-filled hot tub. The event was produced by 15/40 Productions.
The mobile spa At Your Service travels to events and meetings throughout greater Toronto and specializes in providing services at fashion shows, media events, corporate gatherings, and spa parties. Hosts can book services including facials, manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, and eyelash application; meditation instruction, hot stone massages, and chair massages will be added to the menu soon.
