Chicken Carbonara, carved beef, sparkling grape juice, chocolate covered strawberries and red velvet cake – not your typical college food.

The Oscars may have ended over a week ago, but NIU’s Housing and Dining celebrated Wednesday night at dining halls in Neptune, Douglas, Lincoln and Grant South with a special dinner event. A charge of $7.49 to students’ meal plans bought them a night full of all-you-can-eat food, with entertainment.

Complete with balloons, punch fountains, Oscar trophy cookies and even fancy gowns, “Night at the Oscars” provided an atmosphere that some students enjoyed.

Freshman undecided major Leah Kelly, who attended the event at Douglas, said the food was “really good.” Others agreed the change-up was refreshing.

“It’s a nice change from the everyday,” said freshman chemistry major Devin Orzech at Neptune.

Balloons, tablecloths, Oscars-themed desserts, photos of celebrities and other decorations made the dinner an out of the ordinary dining experience. Movie clips from past Oscar-winning films were also played at the event.

“I’m a big movie guy, so seeing Gone with the Wind was nice,” said freshman English major Daniel Baker.