This dinner is the brainchild of a Morton's corporate exec, Roger Drake, who has scored an amazing TOUCHDOWN in making this event a reality. Roger, a New York resident, has been a dedicated Cardinals fan, since the team was in St. Louis. "There were some lean years, but I stuck with them, going to as many games as I could in Arizona," says the executive who first thought of the idea in 2004 when Larry joined the Cardinals and he met Larry's father, a longtime sports editor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, at a sports event. (He's pictured below at Morton's in New York with the world's largest wine bottle.)

Roger also has sentimental ties to teaming up with the Fitzgeralds. Roger's mother lost her battle to breast cancer when he was nine years old. Her name, as Larry's mother, was also Carol. So when he heard that Larry had dined with his family several times at Morton's in Chicago this summer, he wrote Larry Sr.

By the way, Larry, the skilled athlete probably isn't likely to fumble while serving up a steak, etc.. but he and the other celeb waiters (including Cardinals Anquan Boldin, Chris Wells and Coach Ken Whisenhunt) will be shadowed by Morton's serving staff.

There will be an impressive list of auction items at the Aug. 24 dinner for about 160 people. Among them, a private dinner in the next off season at Morton's Scottsdale with an appearance by Larry- and a Steve Voita oil painting of Larry to be auctioned off.

P.S. Morton's in Chicago has a special place in my heart. It's where I learned a lot about the business world. I have wonderful memories of my grandfather and his cronies making business deals over dinner at Morton's. I'd sit quietly as they schmoozed and delighted in the steaks and seafood- Arnie Morton often joining them. As Roger Drake says about the man who co-founded Morton's with Klaus Fritsch in 1978, "yes Arnie was the ultimate restaurateur."

For more details on Celebrity Waiter Night (480) 951-4440.

Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .