Elton’s Oscar soiree to be on March 7th

Thursday, March 04, 2010 6:34:00 PM | Comments (0)

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CALIFORNIA: For the past eighteen years superstar Elton John has been throwing his annual Oscar bash to benefit the Elton John AIDS foundation.

"This event itself has generated upwards of $30 million dollars over the last 18 years, so it's an incredibly crucial part of our fundraising efforts, and it has been over the last 18 years. It remains the main focal point of fundraising for the year. We do lots of other events, but this is by far the biggest," said Scott Campbell the Executive director of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The singer, himself, always likes to take a hands-on approach when it comes to this annual event bearing his name.

"Elton loves a great guest list, and diverse backgrounds of people from all walks of life. He's really, really involved. He's been here every single year of course. He is excited always. He is excited for the performers we have this year. We have Grace Jones performing. She released a new album in the UK last year that she is releasing in the United States this year. She did a bunch of great concerts last year in the US, and Europe and she was fantastic, so we are excited to have her," said Campbell.

Not only will guests be treated to a stellar performance by Grace Jones, but they will be feasting on some incredible food.

"The menu this year is a five course waiter served dinner. We start off with vegetable spring compote, with roasted red pepper coulis, and arugula pesto. Then we go into saffron licorice risotto, which we cook to order with 8 chefs, which takes about thirty minutes. It's quite an interesting thing to see if you are in the back kitchen tent, and we serve it immediately, as soon as it's ready. We top it with a grilled prawn, and some micro greens. Then we go into the main course dinner, which is a choice of pan seared Wahoo, with stewed lentils, and a pine nut basil sauce, or a New York steak with candied celery, and an Amarone red wine sauce. We finish that off with a small green salad, with roasted beets, and sherry vinaigrette. Dessert is a chocolate milk crunch bar, with an apricot coulis, meringue sticks, and a chocolate hazelnut ganache. How's that," said Chef Wayne Elias.

To cap off the night, a selection of delectable sweets will be served.

"I have some chocolate funky monkey cupcakes that are infused with chocolate, banana, and peanut butter, covered in chocolate ganache, and some white chocolate chips. We have some mini macadamia nut hard cookies dipped in dark Belgium chocolate. These colorful little macaroons are French macaroons, with meringue. Each one of them are different flavored. We have pistachio, we have orange, we have regular dark chocolate, we have lemon, and we have coconut. We have some mini apple berry purses, with some streusel topping, and fresh raspberries. Some fresh fruit jewel tarts. These are some mini chocolate hazelnut flourless chocolate cakes, topped with some chopped hazelnuts. We have chocolate ?clairs, and that's it," said Chef Elias.

The 18th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party will take place on March 7th. AGENCIES.