Caviar taste on a fishstick budget

Even the most dedicated movie buffs probably won't find their mailboxes jammed with invites to hip Hollywood parties. So the trick to hosting your own buzz-worthy Academy Awards party is to make your home and guests feel as glam as the real thing. A little planning and a few simple recipes and party tips from Oscar party veterans are all that's required.\nFor foods for the big event, which takes place Feb. 25, think finger-friendly. Wolfgang Puck has catered Oscar parties for more than a decade and keeps a couple of easy-to-eat items on the menu year after year, including mini-cheeseburgers, smoked salmon and caviar pizza.\nTo simplify that approach for home, consider making mini-grilled cheese sandwiches with pineapple or ham. And small pizzas are easy with purchased dough. Consider buying it from a local pizza shop; most are happy to sell it, and the quality is excellent.\nValerie McSorley, president of Avant Garde Events in Boston, plans an eclectic mix of menu items for the Oscar party she is producing this year for the Boston-based Ellie Fund, which benefits breast-cancer research.\nThe menu will feature not only oysters and caviar, but also popcorn and candy.\n"My goal is to make you forget that you're really not in Hollywood," she said. "The more fun you can make it, the better."\nIt's also important to choose dishes that can be made in advance so you can properly greet your own "celebrity" guests as they arrive.\nAs the executive director of the Mill Valley Film Festival outside San Francisco, Mark Fishkin is hosting one of the Academy's sanctioned regional Oscar parties. He suggests serving salmon (either smoked or cooked and cooled) over an elegant salad.\nFor dessert, Fishkin likes going decadent. His crowd will enjoy a chocolate fountain. But you could impress just as nicely with purchased truffles or mini-cheesecakes, or from-scratch cream cheese brownies or chocolate mousse.\nIf you prefer a simpler menu, you can have fun with the movie theme. Put your favorite cold cuts or fillings -- chicken salad with cranberries, thyme and pistachios is nice -- inside sandwich wraps and call it an "It's a Wrap" party.\nFor a potluck gathering, consider challenging your guests to bring dishes inspired by Oscar nominees (cookies in the shape of "Cars," perhaps, or tea-style -- as in high tea -- sandwiches fit for "The Queen").\nDon't forget the drinks. Champagne or other sparkling wine is an obvious choice. Giada De Laurentiis, host of the Food Network's "Everyday Italian," suggests setting up a "Bellini Bar." While a traditional Bellini is made from peaches and sparkling wine, De Laurentiis suggests a choice of fruit syrups.\nAnd if old Hollywood is more your scene, visit Bombshells.com for mixed drink recipes inspired by actresses. The "Jayne Mansfield" -- a luscious blend of coconut cream and pineapple juice -- is excellent with or without vodka.\nWith the food and drink settled, it's time to consider the atmosphere.\nOscar night is about predicting the winners. Cheryl Cecchetto, the producer of the official ball for Oscar guests, suggests using a blank ballot as your invitation. These are widely available online, including at the official Oscar site.\nTell guests to mark their predictions on the ballots prior to arriving. The host then can collect them at the door and hand them out to be graded by other guests as the evening progresses.\nAnd keep the competition going with movie trivia. The Oscar Web site will have games up by show night, but you can find other contests at the Cool Movie Trivia Web site.\nIf yours is more of an upscale affair, encourage guests to dress up or come as a celebrity. Put out a red carpet or well-secured red fabric for a grand entrance. \nSome guests may be more interested in the awards than others. Accommodate them by having an "award room," where talking is allowed only during the commercial breaks.\nSpeaking of awards, don't forget to have something for the winners of your ballot and trivia contests. A copy of a nominated movie, song or score will keep with the night's theme.