Emmys Night In

72nd Emmy Awards
Tips For Your At-Home Emmy Celebration

Over the years, we've shared festive ideas for holding Emmy Awards viewing parties, large and small, and 2020 is no different.
 
Even though the pandemic caused the cancellation of our celebrated Governors Ball events -- as well as gatherings for the Creative Arts ceremonies and the Emmy telecast -- we still believe there are wonderful ways to celebrate and make Emmy Awards nights special while you are at home with friends and family. So, read on!
You'll find favorite Governors Ball recipes of the past, as well as recommendations for wine pairings, delicious bubbly, and cocktails that put a fresh spin on celebratory toasting.

But first, we're including some festive ideas to incorporate into any or all of our four nights of streaming Creative Arts ceremonies Sept. 14 – 17 on Emmys.com, the Sept. 19 FXX telecast of the final night of Creative Arts ceremonies, and the ABC telecast of the 72nd Emmy Awards on Sept. 20. We hope you employ the clever tips from Cheryl Cecchetto, who has produced the Governors Ball for more than 20 years, recipes from celebrated chef Joaquim Splical, and beverage suggestions from our partners Sterling Wines, Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wine and Ketel One Vodka. This might just be the most memorable Emmys ever!

Décor & Viewing Fun
It may be you plus family members or one or two close friends, but no matter the number of viewers at your intimate gathering, it's a special night. So, adorn your space with beautiful flowers – available at florists, local markets and/or using your Television Academy member discount for home delivery from 1-800-Flowers.

Take your inspiration from Emmy gold, or this year's rich Key Art palette of blues, purples, magentas and pinks. Click here for our Key Art in a large file that's suitable to print as a poster (or send out to a puzzle company and create your own jigsaw puzzle!) to enhance your décor. Also look to include gold decorative items with an interesting shape or texture that will harmonize with the key art; gold or shimmery fabrics from your local fabric store can create beautiful table covers, drapes around your flat screen, runners and napkins that add a pop of Emmy gold!
 
Create a TV show score or theme song playlist on Spotify or Pandora to kick off the afternoon's preshow viewing, and have trays of bubbly – or wine tasting with the recommended Sterling wines below -- at the ready before the awards begin. You can also schedule your viewing of all preshows leading up to the Emmys telecast, and where it will be seen around the world by checking out "Where to Watch" our website: Emmys.com/watch.

Prior to the four nightly ceremonies streaming on Emmys.com, and the FXX Creative Arts telecast, view this year's program for all the nominee listings for the Creative Arts Awards.

And, the morning of the ABC telecast of the 72nd Emmy Awards, download the programs and your at-home Emmys Prediction page. Make sure you fill them out prior to showtime, and afterwards, gift the top and bottom predictors, even if there are only two of you competing!
 
Prize ideas:
* T-shirts, mugs or merchandise from a favorite TV Show
* A cocktail recipe book and a beautiful cocktail shaker.
* A special bottle of Sterling wine, Ferrari Trento Sparkling wine, or Ketel One Vodka.
* A pair of wine or champagne glasses for toasting all the winners
* Joachim Splichal's Patina Cookbook: Spuds, Truffles and Wild Gnocchi
* Cheryl Cechetto's book: Passion to Create: Your Invitation to Celebrate
 
Attire
You can dress up -- or not! -- in the comfort of your own home! You could don cocktail or formal attire for the occasion, or choose casual but festive attire – be comfortable and have fun! Ask each guest to include one of the key art colors in their outfit; perhaps a tie, a scarf, or a belt or wrap. If your nearest thrift store is back in operation, hunt for some vintage apparel that makes a statement. If you have a flair for the playful, you might emulate the dress/style of a character from your favorite TV show or an Emmy-nominated show, and even award a prize for best costume! Another idea is a glam pajama party! If there ever was a year of cozy, comfy clothes, this is it!
 
Food and Beverage
It's a great year to continue comfort food cooking at home, or order something special from your favorite restaurant that's offering takeout or will deliver! No matter what you choose to do, set up a concession-style snack table with all your favorite candies, chips and popcorn -- you might even pre-package them for each guest in special bags from a craft store.

Don't have time to prep for your Emmys party? Order from your favorite restaurants on DoorDash to make the night special!

 

You can also feature a self-service bar, including this year's special Sterling Vineyards wines, from the iconic Napa Valley winery that is returning for a fifth year as the Official Wine of the 72nd Emmy Awards Season. This year's selection for the Emmys is the rich Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with deeply red garnet color with aromas and flavors of dark red and black fruits, including black cherry, raspberry, blackberry and ripe plum. In addition, Sterling has a group of varietal wines that also pair excellently with the recipes below, including their Napa Chardonnay, Vintner's Collection Chardonnay and Napa Sauvignon Blanc.

Here's a video with Emmy winner and nominee, Sterling K. Brown, enjoying a recent tasting with Sterling Vineyards' winemaker!


Ferrari Trento, Italy's most iconic sparkling wine producer, is returning for their sixth year as the Official Sparkling Wine of the 2020 Emmy Season. Ferrari Brut, Ferrari Rose', Ferrari Perle' Rose are some of our favorites!
 

Serve your guests the Emmy signature cocktail -- the Seven Minute Emmy Cocktail featuring Ketel One Family Made Vodka -- created by award-winning bartender Charles Joly.

Watch Charles make one and then use the recipe below!


SEVEN MINUTE MARTINI
CLASSIC SIZE
 
INGREDIENTS
6OZ KETEL ONE VODKA
3OZ BIANCO VERMOUTH
4OZ WATER
5 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
INFUSION: DRIED MINT, GRAPEFRUIT TWIST, 1/2 SLICED PEACH, HIBISCUS TEA
 
TOOLS REQUIRED
JIGGER, KNIFE, INFUSION DEVICE, COUPE GLASS
 
PREPARATION - STEP #1
COMBINE KETEL ONE FAMILY MADE VODKA, BIANCO VERMOUTH, WATER, AND ORANGE BITTERS IN A BOTTLE OR LARGE MASON JAR AND CHILL UNTIL READY TO SERVE.
STEP #2
USE A VEGETABLE PEELER TO CUT A LONG, WIDE PIECE OF GRAPEFRUIT PEEL.
STEP #3
CURL AND PLACE INTO FRENCH PRESS (OR OTHER INFUSING VESSEL) WITH DRIED MINT, 1/2 SLICED PEACH AND HIBISCUS TEA.
STEP #4
POUR PRE-CHILLED COCKTAIL INTO FRENCH PRESS FOR SERVING.
TO SERVE
POUR SMALL PORTIONS OF THE INFUSED DRINK INTO MARTINI OR COUPE GLASSES EVERY 90 SECONDS AND WATCH THE FLAVOR AND PRESENTATION TRANSFORM OVER THE COURSE OF SEVEN MINUTES. EACH INFUSION SERVES 3 COCKTAILS. (KIT MAKES 6 COCKTAILS, SO YOU CAN DO THE INFUSION TWICE)
FOR A FRESH TWIST, TRY USING A MINT BOUQUET INSTEAD OF DRIED MINT!
 
RECIPES
Here are previous taste sensations from Patina and Chef Joachim Splichal that you can make at home. Note that you can half the quantities depending on the size of your gathering and desire for leftovers:
 
NICK + STEFS PRIME BEEF TENDERLOIN: (Serves 12)
1 5 lbs. prime beef tenderloin
2 oz. unsalted butter
6 each thyme sprigs
4 each garlic cloves
Kosher salt & ground black pepper
 
Method: Preheat oven to 400°F. Season beef tenderloin with salt and pepper on all sides. Over medium-high heat in a cast-iron pan, sear beef tenderloin until golden and caramelized on all sides. Add butter, thyme and crushed garlic to the pan and baste the beef with the frothy melted butter. Once basted, place in the oven and cook until medium rare, approximately 15 minutes. The internal temperature should be roughly 125° if using a meat thermometer. Remove from the oven and allow beef to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
 
WHITE CHEDDAR POTATO GRATIN:
4 lbs. Russet potato, peeled and finely sliced
6 each shallot, finely sliced
6 each garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups whole milk
4 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped
6 oz. White cheddar, grated
4 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated
 
Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a heavy bottomed pot, sweat garlic and shallots until soft and fragrant. Add cream, milk, salt, and thyme leaves and reduce by half. While the milk and cream mixture is reducing, peel and slice the potatoes as thinly as possible and cover in cold water to prevent browning. Prepare a 8x10 inch heavy bottomed casserole dish with cooking spray or butter. Arrange one layer of the sliced potatoes into the bottom of the casserole dish. Carefully cover the potatoes with the reduced cream. Sprinkle with the white cheddar and parmesan. Place a second layer of potatoes and again cover with cream mixture and grated cheeses. Continue this process until the casserole dish is completely full. Add one final layer or the grated cheeses and cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil. Bake the gratin for 1 hour at 350°F, remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes to brown the top of the gratin. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

FILIPINO BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS (Makes 12 Skewers)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup banana ketchup
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 lbs. organic chicken thigh meat, cut into small cubes
12 bamboo skewers – pre-soaked in water for 30 minutes
1/2 cup finely sliced scallions
Banana ketchup for dipping (recipe and instructions below)
 
Method: Combine first 9 ingredients to make a marinade. Marinade the chicken for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Thread chicken onto skewers and brush with oil. Cook over a grill, turning as needed and brushing with reserved marinade, until charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with sliced scallions and additional banana ketchup sauce alongside.
 
Banana Ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped Vidalia onions
2 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 jalapeño seeded and minced
2 teaspoon finely grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
 
Method: Cook onions in vegetable oil over medium heat until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeño, ginger, turmeric and allspice, and cook about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste, bananas, vinegar, honey, soy sauce and brown sugar. Continue cooking an additional 15 minutes, stirring often. Let cool and refrigerate.
 
GREEN GODDESS CHOP SALAD (Serves 8)
1 cup baby zucchini, blanched
1 cup asparagus tips, blanched
1/2 cup English peas, blanched
1/2 cup edamame, blanched
1/2 cup green romanesco florets, blanched
1/2 cup shishito peppers, lightly grilled
8 each broccolini, blanched
2 heads baby artisan lettuce, leaves picked washed
1/2 cup Green Goddess dressing
 
Method: Prepare the vegetables as stated and cut all into bite-size pieces. Wash and dry the lettuce leaves and cut into a bowl. Combine with cut vegetables and drizzle with the green goddess dressing. Carefully toss and serve. Garnish with fresh tarragon leaves and fennel frond.
 
Green Goddess Dressing
2 cups watercress, picked leaves, washed
1/2 cup basil leaves
2 tablespoon chives, chopped
2 tablespoon tarragon leaves
1 lemon -- zest and juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons crème fraiche
1 each anchovy
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 each garlic cloves
 
Method: In a blender mix lemon juice, mayonnaise, crème fraiche, anchovy, Dijon mustard, and garlic cloves. Puree until smooth adding a small amount of water if the mixture becomes too thick. Add the fresh herbs and lemon zest to the blender cup and carefully pulse to combine and fully mix the herbs and the pureed base.
 
"EMMY" MACARONI AND CHEESE (Serves 5)
1 lb. box Dececco Ziti Cut No. 118 Pasta
2 quarts half and half
3 whole shallots, peeled and sliced
10 cloves of garlic, sliced
2 branches fresh thyme
1 bayleaf
Ground or fresh grated nutmeg
Kosher salt
Freshly ground white pepper
cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sifted flour
15 slices Vermont white cheddar, sliced very thin
 
Method: Cook box of pasta in 2 quarts of boiling half and half, that has sliced shallots, sliced raw garlic, thyme, bayleaf, salt and pepper, and just a touch of nutmeg. Cook the pasta 1/2 of the way, then use a slotted spoon to lay out on a parchment lined tray in a single layer and chill. Make a sauce bechamel, by adding a blond roux to the poaching liquid, and simmer for 5 minutes only. (if it reduces too much, add a touch of cream or milk). Strain thru a sieve.
Blond roux: Melt the butter in a saucepan without letting it brown. Add flour to butter and cook whisking, for 4 minutes. The color should be blond or very light gold.
Use a basting brush to paint/glaze the macaroni with bechamel, and chill. Once cold, cut into 15 equal-sized circles or squares. Place one slice of cheese on each macaroni square/circle, and stack up 3 high, giving you 5 three-layer Macaronis. Cover with plastic in the refrigerator, so as not to absorb odors.When ready to serve, place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven until hot throughout.
 
DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES WITH BOURBON SAUCE
1 & 1/3 cups butter, softened
2 and 2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup baking dark cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar, optional
 
Baby Bourbon Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar (+ 1/4 cup water)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Hudson Baby Bourbon
pinch of sea salt
 
Method:
For the brownie: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to the butter, sugar and egg mixture. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until the top is dry and the center is set. Cool completely and cut into bars or squares. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.
Baby Bourbon caramel sauce: Simmer sugar and 1/4 cup water on medium heat, swirling in the pan - NOT stirring -for about 15 minutes, or until a deep amber color is reached. Watch closely as not to let it burn. Turn off burner, remove from heat and slowly add cream while stirring. Add a pinch of salt and bourbon and place back on still-warm burner for another minute while stirring. Transfer to a heat-safe dish or container and let cool in the refrigerator. Drizzle over a plate of cooled, dusted brownies, or pipe a design of whipped cream onto each brownie and then drizzle! Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING (Serves 4)
1/2 cup milk
4 cups cream
1 cup egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 lb. torn croissants (4 croissants 4 oz each)
1/4 cups dark chocolate chips
Icing sugar, for dusting
 
Method: Preheat oven to 300°F. Place the milk, cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring, until just below the boil. Remove from the heat and set aside. Place the egg yolks and sugar in a large heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Gradually whisk the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture to combine. Arrange the croissants in a 12 cm x 18 cm 1.5-litre-capacity baking dish, layer with chocolate chips. Pour over custard and cook for 25 minutes in a bain-marie or until golden and just set.

updated 9.18.20