Rob Giardinelli
Celebrity Waiter Night Is A High-Energy, Smashing Success
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by BenPorter Photography
THE SCENE: The Four Seasons in downtown Austin was the setting for an inaugural gala that has immediately become a must-attend event in a city full of many first-rate galas. A sold-out crowd featuring over 400 of the capital city’s most notable community leaders, sports lovers, children’s advocates, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the first-ever Austin Celebrity Waiter Night. Benefiting Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation, founded by multi-Pro Bowl NFL player Derrick Johnson, the night included great food, mingling with an array of legendary athletes and other cultural notables, and immediately left an indelible impression on the Austin fundraising scene.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-attire crowd wore a mix of colors. In the crowd, one could seamlessly spot traditional suits and cocktail dresses, mixed with colorful sport coats and dresses in bold colors, prints, and metallics. The result was one of the most high-energy Austin galas in recent memory, complete with contagious enthusiasm.
Upon arrival, guests were presented with a University of Texas football, which also happens to be Derrick Johnson’s alma mater, so they could actively engage the over three dozen athletes, actors, musicians, and other notables who were on hand to support their friend. Throughout the night, guests could be seen handing their footballs to their favorite celebrities, which will undoubtedly be highly coveted collectibles for those fortunate enough to be there.
Kicking off the night was a lively cocktail hour. Here, partygoers sipped on their favorite spirits while mingling with friends old and new. This included Derrick Johnson himself, who, as the gracious host, could be seen introducing himself to supporters and guests and thanking them for being part of his foundation’s inaugural Austin event. Others took the time to pose on an orange carpet to commemorate the evening in style. The ballroom was so packed that the fun spilled out onto the Four Seasons terrace to take advantage of the picture-perfect weather.
The action then moved to the Four Seasons ballroom for the main program. As the raucous crowd made it to their seats, emcees Mix 94.7’s Brad Booker and Austin American-Statesman sports columnist Cedric Golden were greeted by the celebrity waiters who partnered with the Four Seasons catering staff for the night, all in the name of fun and fundraising. While dining, guests were treated to remarks from event and organization leaders, and each celebrity waiter was introduced to the adoring crowd.
Highlights of the program included words from Derrick Johnson and other event leaders. Additionally, guests were treated to an emotional video showcasing the work that the Derrick Johnson Foundation does to uplift youth in Central Texas.
Next, TiWanna Kenney of Astounding Auctions helmed a raucous live auction and paddles up. Top auction items included an in-home chefs’ experience featuring celebrity chefs John Carver, Kevin Taylor, Shane Stark, and James Robert for eight guests, plus Derrick and Brittni Johnson, which fetched $30,000, as well as a CBS Sports Behind-The-Scenes Studio Experience. The auction capped off the highly successful first-year event, leaving guests eagerly awaiting the announcement of next year’s event so they could purchase their tickets and tables.
THE NON-PROFIT: The inaugural Celebrity Waiter Night, co-chaired by Keiko Anderson, Caitlyn Perry, and Norman Watkins, raised over $690,000 for Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation. Proceeds from the event will provide low-income and inner-city youth with the opportunities and resources to reach their full potential in school and life. This includes a partnership with the Austin Ed Fund to update libraries in Title One AISD elementary schools.
