Oscars 2015: Steal Some Tips from Elton John's Soirée

Dine like a rock star in the comfort of your own home.

ByABC News
February 20, 2015, 1:23 PM
Hamachi with Mango relish & Chive Oil
Hamachi with Mango relish & Chive Oil
Brian To

— -- An Oscar night fixture for the last decade, the annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party is considered one of the hottest invitations in Hollywood, attracting celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Heidi Klum to Britney Spears.

But recreating your own version of the star-studded soiree at home is easier than you might think.

Lod Angeles-based chef Wayne Elias--who, along with his crew at Crumble Catering and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey will put together the plentiful feast at the party--shared some of the special bites they will serve and his rule of thumb for cooking up a good time.

"Easy-to-eat is a key ingredient in everything that should be served," Elias told ABC News. "Nothing messy or overly complicated with too many sauces--we just want the highest quality, with often locally sourced and organic ingredients to delight the palate."

PHOTO:  Rosemary Filet Mignon Bite with Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper
Rosemary Filet Mignon Bite with Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

With that in mind, one of the simple yet elegant appetizers that will be passed this Sunday night is a cinch to prepare: Take 12 one-ounce cuts of beef tenderloin and marinate for 30 minutes in 1/4 teaspoon of cracked black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/8 cup of olive oil, then saute the meat in a hot pan for a minute on each side and skewer with fresh rosemary.

For a sweet-and-salty bite, Elias will offer up a party-menu classic: honeydew cubes topped with a prosciutto rosette. Meanwhile, those who eschew red meat can enjoy hamachi with papaya relish and chive oil.

Simply ask your local fishmonger to slice up sushi-grade hamachi into thin strips. At home, layer the pieces of fish with avocado slices and top with mango and papaya salsa.

PHOTO: Honeydew Bite and Prosciutto Rosette
Honeydew Bite and Prosciutto Rosette

"Truly special parties are all about personal touches, and I love to help others tap into their inner creativity!" exclaimed celebrity event planner Stefanie Cove.

To ramp up the excitement watching the Oscars at home, Cove takes a cue from Ellen Degeneres' notorious Oscar selfie and recommends setting up a gilded photobooth area for when guests arrive.

"Create a border using gold dipped feathers taped on a white wall...or, if you are not into feathers, use gold Mylar to cover the wall behind the photo area," she said. "Then, stage a prop table to encourage friends to get creative."

Boas, bow ties and golden statuettes all would be appropriate.

PHOTO: Event planner Stefanie Cove recommends glitzing up your at-home Oscars party with edible goldleaf and other indulgences.
Event planner Stefanie Cove recommends glitzing up your at-home Oscars party with edible goldleaf and other indulgences.

Cove, who is a spokesperson for Kim Crawford Wines, also suggests keeping refreshments iced on your buffet or coffee table versus inside of the fridge.

"Freeze brightly colored fuchsia flowers, edible gold flakes, and mint leaves into ice cubes for stunning pops of color and sparkle," she said. "You can also swap out the flowers with fresh fruits, like raspberries. Then, fill a clear ice bucket with your custom ice cubes and your favorite wines."