Host an award-winning Oscar-night party

It’s red carpet time. Hollywood is having a party and everyone is invited. Academy Awards night is an always an evening of fashion, fun and celebrity. So bring some ‘Tinseltown’ glitz and glamour into your home with a picture-perfect Oscar party!
The awards show, presented on Sunday, Feb. 26, is a great occasion to gather up your pals for a guaranteed good time. It’s always fun – whether you are the discussing the merits of the nominated films or simply critiquing fashion choices and acceptance speeches. With a little creativity, your Oscars viewing party will be a night to remember.

Set The Stage for an Award-Winning Party
Everything about the awards ceremony drips with glitz and glamour, and it’s easy to make your guests feel like a star. Start with some Academy Award decorations to enhance the theme even more, such as plates, tabletop decorations, etc. Basically, you can go as far as you want to create the atmosphere and ambiance of the Academy Awards, even as far as to replicate the glamour.

The Envelope, Please
Wouldn’t you like to feel like a winner on Oscar night too? Make a copy of the list of nominees for each guest and have everyone fill out their ballots before the show begins. Buy some small prizes to give to those who accurately predict the winners in each of the major categories, or give one big prize to the person with the most correct guesses. Get creative and come up with some fun movie-inspired prizes: candy, packets of microwave popcorn, entertainment magazines, movie posters, movie soundtracks, mini Oscar statuettes or even bottles of champagne.
Or create an Oscar pool. Have ballots ready for your guests to pick winners when they arrive, collect them prior to the first award announced and at the end of the evening determine who is your 'winner' of the pool.

The Main Attraction...
Of course, no soiree would be complete without the appropriate nibbles to match the occasion. Variety is the key: offer elegant foods that that range from savory to sweet; hot to cold; and healthy to decadent to satisfy all – in small bites. And, of course, be sure to have the ultimate movie snack on hand – popcorn!
Here are some winning recipes, including some inspired by this year’s nominees, to get you started.

Chili Orange Kettle Corn
A classic snack with a little spice to add some extra sizzle to your party.

3/4 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon orange zest

In a large pot or stockpot with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat, combine the popcorn, oil, sugar, chili powder, and salt. Shake constantly. When the popcorn begins to pop, lower the heat to medium-low.
Continue to shake until the popping begins to slow. Transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with the melted butter and orange zest and toss to coat.

Baked Cranberry Brie
Paris gets a starring role in two Best Picture-nominated movies, “Hugo” and “Midnight In Paris.” Indulge in this tasty French-influenced appetizer.

4 sheets phyllo pastry
1 round (8 oz.) of brie cheese
3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
¼ cup melted butter

Brush the top of each sheet of pastry with the melted butter and layer the pastry sheets on top of each other.
Place the brie in the middle of the pastry and coat it with cranberry sauce. Twist the edges of the pastry around to enclose the brie in the pastry and brush with the remaining butter. Bake for 20 minutes at 400° F or until the crust is nicely browned. Let it sit for 20 minutes before serving.

Oven-Fried Chicken Satay
Impress your friends with this suprisingly easy chicken appetizer.