Celebrity Waiters Served Up Shenanigans For Child Abuse Prevention Center

When it comes to eating out, service is half the experience. You remember those memorably great waiters as much as those that you wished you could have skewered with a knife. But, on the other hand, not everyone is cut out to be a waiter. It’s tough to wait hand and off on strangers hoping that the pay off of a tip will be worth the antics that the guests demand.

That’s why the 17th Annual Celebrity Waiter Gala on April 16 at the Palomar probably resulted in many “celebs” grateful that they had day jobs and didn’t have to depend on tips.

In the prep meeting before dinner, it all seemed so simple according to gala chairs Ann and Joel Hurley, CAPC Exec Director Jessica Trudeau and event organizers. The celebrity waiters weren’t being thrown out there without lifesavers. Nope, there would be trained professionals to make sure that the guests didn’t starve. All the celebr-aiters had to do was entertain and do whatever to earn tips. . . big tips. Goal: $1,000 per waiter with the proceeds going to Child Abuse Prevention Center!

A couple of the veteran waiters knew how to work the tables. KXAS-NBC’s Kim Fischer was an old hand at waiting tables for a cause. Last fall she had rocked at a celebrity waiter luncheon performing “Baby Bump” with the gal waiters backing her up.

Ah, but this one was going to be different. While the ladies drinking champagne at the Ritz had raised the

roof, the couples (Kit and Kemp Sawers, Wesley and Jeff Brady, Honorary Chair Donna Lane and Walter Adams) were a little more proper and sedate. . . to a point.

As emcee/retired celebrity waiter Brendan Higgins watched from a safe distance, the waiters worked their magic to achieve their goals.

Model maven Rhonda Sargent Chambers had barely recovered from orchestrating the Children’s Cancer Fund fashion show the day before, then she was serving up wine and all types of goodies. That Rhonda looked like a sweet gal, but she was an old pro when it came to getting her tips. For instance, she saw no problem in holding  silverware hostage. And let’s face it — eating a beef tenderloin without utensils can be challenging.

Actress Sonia Acavedo had her table eating out of her hand without any muss or fuss. She played famous lines from movies. Well, maybe some of them weren’t so famous, but she had the entire table including Cartier store

manager Nicole Dabbert and attorney Walter Roper playing into her hands. That Walter really knew his stuff!

Singer Brittnee Lee from Rowlett performed “Walkin’ After Midnight” to the whole room courtesy of her table.

Sheryl Guth in her tomato red evening gown, crown and sash reading “Jello Shot Queen” sashayed around the room with a tray of jello shots.

Robert Clover Brown found his niche in reciting prose from the “old bard” to the delight of guests.

But leave it to the guests, who got mischievous. From nowhere, someone hollered, “Egg race!” Kim Fischer and Kris Clinton looked at each other and knew they were designated competitors. Someone else suggested that it might be nice if one of the contestants was topless. Being the gentleman and pretty darn hunky, Kris accommodated the request returning to the ballroom with two eggs and sans shirt.

However, that’s where Kris’s chivalry stopped. No sooner had the “flag” dropped, then he picked up his egg and raced to the finish line leaving poor Kim to nose the entire length of the ballroom according to proper rules of egg racing.

Alas, not all the celebs made it. Tooth Fairy and Chef Keith “Buttons” Hicks had to cancel, but NFL veteran/All-Around-Good-Guy Jeff Yarbrough stepped in to save the day.

And honorary chair/Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki was a no show. But he had a good excuse. Something about a play off at American Airlines Center.

Tagged as: Child Abuse Prevention Center