Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Palm Springs Film Festival

The New Year started off busy at the hotel. First we were making desserts in the kitchen for 900 people for the gala, an after party for the rich and famous, including some well known faces, followed by a Variety magazine brunch, honoring Jonah Hill the next day.

My two bite desserts for the gala included:
White chocolate-Grand Marnier truffles topped with house made candied orange, mini coconut macaroons dipped in bitter-sweet chocolate, raspberry financier cakes, and mini pecan pies topped with whipped dark chocolate ganache.








Desserts for the brunch included:
Chocolate-coffee opera cake, lemon-brulee tarts with raspberries, hazelnut brittle and yuzu gelee cubes.


  White chocolate-Grand Marnier truffles with candied orange



Mini pecan pies with chocolate ganache 




Lemon creme brulee tarts with raspberries



Hazelnut brittle


$2000 can of caviar for the VIP section


Here are a couple of articles from said events (note the food is mentioned, always a plus):
25th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festiv
Actors Lupita Nyong'o, Elisabeth Röhm, Amy Adams, Tom Hanks and Shea Whigham attend the after party for the 25th annual Film Festival awards gala at Parker Palm Springs. / Getty Images for PSIFF
Following the gala, an after-party was held at the Parker Palm Springs where all the film festival honorees and VIPs were staying. As a result of this convenience, every one of the honorees and presenters stopped in. Some only stayed a few moments, but others partied on. Mathew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves were described by many bystanders as “staying late and having more fun than anybody.”
Amy Adams, Camila Alves, Mary Bono and her daughter; Bradley Cooper, Bruce Dern, Idris Elba, Tom Hanks, Naomie Harris, Lupita Nyong’o, Amy Pascal, Jeremy Renner, Elisabeth Rohm, David O. Russell, Shea Whigham and many others were seen visiting not only with each other but interacting with many guests.
The gala’s presenting sponsor, Cartier, had a small private section for their special guests but, overall, the atmosphere was one of inclusiveness and camaraderie.
Gala producer Richard DeSantis, who also oversaw the after-party, described both the décor and the mood as “Palm Springs disco chic — a younger vibe than in previous years.”
A well-heated tent was attached to the Parker, giving the party an indoor-outdoor ambiance despite the chilly night. The contemporary white furnishings, some of which featured intriguing interior lighting, were sophisticated yet comfortable.
Roy Phillips, recently voted “Best DJ” won many more fans with the lively dance and party music he supplied.
Every aspect of the Parker Hotel was praised by all, from its cooperative staff to its delicious and plentiful supply of party foods. A friendly, added touch to the catering was a large supply of bite-size chicken pot pies donated by Spencer’s Restaurant.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival closes Monday afternoon.




http://variety.com/2014/film/news/jonah-hill-defends-wolf-of-wall-street-at-varietys-annual-brunch-in-palm-springs-1201029269/



Jonah Hill said naysayers have misunderstood the lesson of “Wolf of Wall Street” at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch brunch honoring him at the Parker Palm Springs on Sunday.
“I personally take away the message from the film that this behavior, this lifestyle, leads to a very bad ending,” the actor said. “I think the movie is not glorifying this behavior, it is showing that it leads to bad places whether their judicial punishment doesn’t reflect that is one thing. Where your life ends up, who you are as a person, is another.”
PHOTOS: Jonah Hill, Colin Farell attend Variety gala
Marisa Tomei, who introduced Hill, Variety’s Creative Impact in Acting honoree, called him, “my friend, a sweetie pie and who’s handsome,” adding, “he can make us laugh, but he has got the craft to back it up.”
Saving Mr. Banks” director John Lee Hancock, who accepted the Creative Impact in Directing award, had this advice for up-and-coming helmers: “What part is Colin Farrell going to play? That is always a good harbinger of success,” referring to the thesp who intro’ed him.
Hancock said he’s not competitive and reflecting on the gala said 2013 was a good year for film. “I want all these films to do well. I do adult dramas and I want another job.”
Sharing a moment from the previous night when he presented the composing kudo to Thomas Newman, Hancock said he had a tough time with the Teleprompter, which gave him “a crick in the neck.
Of Variety’s 10 to Watch, all but helmer Clio Bernard was present — Paul Duane, Anthony Chen, Gita Pullapally & Aron Gaudet, Gren Wells, Amma Asante, Ben Falcone (with wife Melissa McCarthy), Justin Simien, Dome Karukoski and Maya Forbes.


http://variety.com/2014/film/news/jonah-hill-defends-wolf-of-wall-street-at-varietys-annual-brunch-in-palm-springs-1201029269/