Oscar Nom Noms: A Themed Feast for Every Best Picture Nominee
Playful party fare that brings every Best Picture nominee to life on your plate.
Every cinephile knows the best way to celebrate the Academy Awards isn’t just by rooting for your favorite films or indulging in red carpet fashion commentary—it’s about gathering friends and family for a night of food, festivity, and fun. This year, transform your Oscars viewing party into a truly memorable event with a movie-inspired themed menu, featuring playful, pun-filled dishes inspired by each Best Picture nominee. From elegantly reimagined comfort foods to offbeat snacks that channel cinematic moods, there’s a delicious scene to suit every movie buff’s palate.
Why Host an Oscars Themed Menu?
The Oscars only come once a year, and whether you’re passionate about the outcome or just love a good excuse to throw a party, embracing a themed menu adds an extra layer of entertainment to your gathering. It’s a chance to:
- Celebrate film through creative cuisine: Each dish serves as a tribute, prompting fun conversation and a deeper connection to the nominees.
- Inspire guests to get involved: Assign movie-inspired dishes to friends for a potluck or challenge everyone to dress as their favorite character.
- Create shared memories: Unique themed treats make the night more interactive and memorable than a typical movie night spread.
A Dish for Every Best Picture Contender
This year’s Best Picture race is as diverse in its cinematic flavors as in its storytelling. Below, you’ll find cleverly named dishes and drinks—one for each film—complete with brief explanations so partygoers can savor the references as much as the snacks. Optional recipes and suggestions are included for maximum flavor and fun.
The Shape of Water
Salmon en Papillote with Dill and Lemon
Pay homage to this dreamy, aquatic romance with a seafood centerpiece. Salmon, sealed and steamed in paper for tender, aromatic results, echoes both the film’s watery atmosphere and its heartfelt intimacy. For a quick bite, serve oyster shooters or shrimp cocktail shots.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Billboard BBQ Sliders
Satisfy guests with sliders piled high with smoky pulled pork or shredded chicken, finished with a spicy slaw—an edible nod to the movie’s fiery tone and rural setting. Serve with a side of Missouri-style baked beans, or offer up ‘Angry Red Hot Wings.’
Get Out
Sunken Place Black Bean Dip
This psychological thriller inspires a dip that’s both inviting and slightly enigmatic. Black bean dip with hints of cumin and lime pairs perfectly with blue corn chips—look for round chips as a subtle reference to hypnotic teacups. Add a “stir” by swirling in sour cream and hot sauce.
Dunkirk
British Tea Sandwiches & Mini Meat Pies
Caught in the action and bravery of WWII Britain? Serve an array of crustless tea sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg salad) alongside hearty mini Cornish pasties or portable sausage rolls. Pair with English breakfast tea or a robust porter.
Lady Bird
Lady (Bird) Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze
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Inspired by the protagonist’s rebellious spirit, these crispy chicken wings are tossed in a sweet-hot glaze and garnished with edible “rose petals”—for that tender, thorny coming-of-age experience. Offer a vegetarian version with battered cauliflower wings.
Phantom Thread
Woodcock’s Mushroom Omelette
Nod to the film’s meticulous protagonist and iconic breakfast scene with fluffy mushroom omelettes, finished with fresh herbs. Serve mini omelette roulades for elegant hors d’oeuvres, or offer individual servings for a more gourmet touch. Side of crusty bread and strong tea recommended.
Darkest Hour
Churchill’s Roast Beef Tea Sandwiches
Evoking both gravitas and English tradition, these delicate sandwiches—balancing rare roast beef, horseradish cream, and watercress on hearty bread—are perfect for snacking throughout a dramatic evening. For historical accuracy, serve alongside a sip of port or classic gin cocktail.
Call Me by Your Name
Peach Caprese Salad & Panini
Celebrate the film’s sun-drenched Italian summer with ripe peaches, creamy mozzarella, basil, and prosciutto—either as a salad or pressed inside toasty panini. Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a bottle of prosecco to turn your home into a lazy garden in Lombardy.
The Post
Press Club Stuffed Mushrooms
Journalism and deadlines inspire quick, hearty appetizers. Fill mushroom caps with a blend of breadcrumbs, parmesan, and fresh herbs, just as the press fills its pages. Quick to assemble and ready to serve in newsworthy batches.
Bonus: Movie Night Sips
- Seventh Reel Spritz — Sparkling elderflower, lemon, seltzer, and a splash of gin.
- Red Carpet Rosé Punch — Bubbly rosé wine, brandy, citrus, and berries for a festive finish.
How to Pull Off Your Oscar Night Party
The success of a themed Oscar menu is in its details and sense of fun. Consider the following tips for an unforgettable experience:
- Label each dish with a punny menu card, complete with trivia about how the food relates to the nominee.
- Encourage dress-up—guests can come in character costumes or just red carpet style.
- Print ballots for guests to cast their winner predictions as they graze.
- Set a festive mood with gold star confetti, movie-themed props, and Oscar statuette replicas.
Printable Menu: Oscars Best Picture Bites
| Film | Themed Dish or Drink |
|---|---|
| The Shape of Water | Salmon en Papillote with Dill and Lemon |
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | BBQ Sliders with Spicy Slaw |
| Get Out | Sunken Place Black Bean Dip |
| Dunkirk | British Tea Sandwiches & Mini Meat Pies |
| Lady Bird | Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken (or Cauliflower) Wings |
| Phantom Thread | Mushroom Omelette Roulades |
| Darkest Hour | Roast Beef Tea Sandwiches |
| Call Me by Your Name | Peach Caprese Salad & Panini |
| The Post | Stuffed Mushrooms |
Quick Recipes & Prep Tips
- Salmon en Papillote: Wrap seasoned salmon fillets with lemon, dill, and a drizzle of olive oil in parchment paper. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes.
- BBQ Sliders: Slow-cook pork (or chicken) with your favorite barbecue sauce. Pile onto mini buns, top with spicy coleslaw.
- Sunken Place Dip: Puree black beans with garlic, lime, cumin, and olive oil. Swirl in sour cream and hot sauce for hypnotic effect.
- British Tea Sandwiches: Slice white or brown bread thin; fill with egg salad, cucumber, or smoked salmon mixtures. Cut into neat fingers.
- Honey Glazed Wings: Toss fried (or baked) wings in honey, chili flakes, and a splash of hot sauce. Garnish with edible flowers or shaved radish.
- Mushroom Omelette Roulade: Sauté chopped mushrooms, fold into beaten eggs, and cook until just set. Roll and slice into rounds.
- Roast Beef Tea Sandwiches: Layer roast beef, arugula, horseradish, and buttered bread. Slice into triangles.
- Peach Caprese Salad: Slice peaches, mozzarella, and tomatoes. Layer, drizzle with balsamic, add basil and prosciutto.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Combine bread crumbs, parmesan, herbs, and olive oil. Fill mushroom caps and bake at 375°F until golden.
Award-Worthy Viewing Party Enhancements
- Printable ballots: Help guests play along and compete for mini prizes during the telecast.
- Movie trivia rounds: During commercial breaks, quiz your friends on Oscar history or facts about the nominated films.
- DIY photo booth: Set up a corner with a gold backdrop and film-inspired props.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I make my Oscars menu vegetarian-friendly?
Swap protein in most dishes for plant-based alternatives—cauliflower for wings, jackfruit for pulled pork, and cheese-stuffed mushrooms for hearty appetizers. Many of the suggested items, like tea sandwiches or peach Caprese salad, are easily adapted for vegetarians.
What are some tips for prepping food ahead of the Oscars?
Choose dishes that can be made in advance and served at room temperature, such as stuffed mushrooms, meat pies, or black bean dip. Assemble salads just before serving; keep cooked dishes warm in a low oven.
How do I make the menu feel more authentic to the films?
Pair dishes with film clips or stills during your party, offer themed drinks for each movie, or sprinkle fun trivia about the relevance of each dish as you serve. Consider incorporating elements of the films’ settings into your décor and tableware.
Can I scale the menu for a small group or just for two?
Absolutely—simply halve the recipes and choose a handful of your favorite movies. Focus on small-plate versions for a cozy, intimate Oscars date night in.
Oscar Night: A Feast for Film Fans
Themed fare turns your living room into a VIP screening, complete with culinary tributes to the most celebrated movies of the year. Whether your guests are Hollywood die-hards or casual moviegoers, a Best Picture-inspired menu adds drama, fun, and flavor to your Academy Awards celebration. So roll out the red carpet, hand out mini statuettes, and prepare a night of food as memorable as the films themselves!
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