New York City - On Oscar Sunday, March 7, New York-area members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the 82nd Academy Awards at GILT at The New York Palace hotel. Since 1990, the Academy has hosted a New York Oscar celebration for its East Coast members, many of whom are previous Academy Award winners and nominees. New York's Oscar party is open to all Academy members who reside on the East Coast or who might be visiting at that time.

Actress Shirley Knight.

The evening's festivities began with a reception in the GILT Bar, renowned for its selection of signature cocktails. Following the reception, the invited guests adjourned to the restaurant for a multi-course Oscar-themed dinner and live viewing of the 82nd Academy Awards telecast. Executive Chef Justin Bogle and Executive Pastry Chef David Carmichael created a special menu for the occasion. GILT opened in 2006 and has since earned international acclaim. In 2009 the restaurant received two Michelin stars under Executive Chef Bogle, who at 28 was the youngest New York City chef to ever earn this distinction.

GILT at The New York Palace hotel is located on Madison Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets.

For more information about the event, Academy members may call 212-821-9255.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 were presented on Sunday, March 7, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation was also televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

In attendance at GILT were Catalina Sandino Moreno, (actress); Dustin Lance Black, (screenwriter "Milk"); Celeste Holm; Courtney Hunt (director, screenwriter, "Frozen River"); Sylvia Miles; Celia Weston (Vice Chair of NY Oscar Night); Shirley Knight; Tina Louise; Sid Ramin, (composer, orchestrator); Arlene Dahl; Eileen Fulton; Richard Barclay, (producer); Seamus McGarvey, (cinematographer); Debra Schutt, (set decorator); David Rakoff, (actor, writer); Hunt Slonem; Bud Rosenthal, (Chair, NY Events Committee, AMPAS); and Patrick Harrison, (NY Program Director, AMPAS).