Snackademy AWARDS

Souped-up popcorn, nachos, charcuterie — delicious ideas for Oscar night

Whichever movies you’ll be rooting for at the 96th Academy Awards this weekend, good entertainment deserves to be accompanied by a good snack. We asked five Toronto chefs and restaurateurs for their favourite “noms” to enjoy while watching the Oscar “noms,” plus which films made their personal must-watch lists this year.

LAURA PETRACCA, EXECUTIVE CHEF, CIBO WINE BAR

Fave Oscar movie My wife didn’t want to see “Barbie” because she thought it was going to be cliché, but a group of our friends got together to go see it, so we tricked her and told her we were seeing a different movie. It ended up being so funny and feminist, and it was a hit with both of us.

Top snack Nachos. I like to make the chips with layers of cheese, but then put everything else on the side, so it doesn’t get soggy — deconstructed nachos.

SEBOUH YACOUBIAN, CHEF AND OWNER, TALINE

Fave Oscar movie It’s between “Oppenheimer” and “Maestro.” I really loved the history in “Oppenheimer” and how they represented all of it. I’ve always had a passion for music though, so that really got me into “Maestro” as well.

Top snack Homemade popcorn. My wife and I like to make it the old-school way and use a pot on the stove to pop the kernels. I like to use a split of oil and butter, then finish it with kosher salt. It turns out perfectly.

ADAM RYAN, EXECUTIVE CHEF AND PARTNER, AZURA

Fave Oscar movie I enjoyed the new Indiana Jones film, which is nominated for best score. It’s a movie series I grew up watching, so it was nostalgic for me. Top snack All-dressed chips are my go-to. Ruffles’ OG all-dressed chips are the best. Now all these other companies are trying to do their own versions, but nothing compares. I love the classic potato chips and champagne combo, so I’ll open a bottle of bubbles, too.

ROLAND TOROK-DUCHARME, EXECUTIVE CHEF, FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK’S REIGN

Fave Oscar movie “American Fiction.” It was a bit of a roller-coaster — it had so many dramatic moments, but funny moments as well.

Top snack I used to like Goldfish (crackers) when I was younger, but I gravitated away from them as an adult. Now that I have a daughter who likes them, I’m eating them again. If I want something sweet, I like chocolate-covered Pocky.

JACQUELINE NICOSIA, CO-OWNER, ARDO HOSPITALITY GROUP

Fave Oscar movie “Barbie” really hit home for me. It’s incredible what Greta (Gerwig) was able to do and I feel like they smashed every ceiling with that movie, so I’m really interested to see how well it does.

Top snack Our house loves a good charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, olives, sourdough bread and fresh fruit. I think it’s also a lot of fun to do a dessert version of a charcuterie board with candies, brownies and other baked goods.