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Morton’s ♥’s Celebrities!
14 months ago
Mr. T (right) with Steven Potter and Heather Grobaski of Morton's The Steakhouse
As a new year twinkles brightly like a Harry Winston jewel on the horizon, we take a lingering look back to remember the many wonderful steak-loving legends who have graced our restaurants throughout 2011 whether to celebrate a private event, relax after shooting a movie or just to enjoy a good meal with family and friends. From movie stars (George Clooney, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg) to rock stars (Carlos Santana, Shakira, Ricky Martin), PGA TOUR players (Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, Chi Chi Rodriguez) to politicians (John Boehner, Rudy Giuliani, Barbara Boxer), and athletes (LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Mario Andretti) to news anchors (Wolf Blitzer, Soledad O’Brien, John King), you never know who you’ll sit next to at Morton’s!
Throughout December, Morton’s welcomed the following celebrities…
Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks’ Head Coach Bruce Boudreau
Ruta Lee
Arlington
Washington Redskins’ Kevin Barnes, Erik Cook, Jonathan Crompton, Rocky McIntosh, Chris Neild, Eric Olsen, Logan Paulsen, Aldrick Robinson, Nick Sundberg, Brandyn Thompson, Lorenzo Alexander, Bryon Westbrook, and Doug Worthington
Actress Ruta Lee
Atlanta – Buckhead
Actor Don Cheadle
Actress Carina Lau (center) at Morton's The Steakhouse
Burbank
Actor Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from A Christmas Story)
Boyz II Men
Charlotte
NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch
Charlotte Bobcat’s Kemba Walker
Edmonton Oilers’ Hunter Tremblay
Carolina Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart
Chicago (State St.)
Jersey Shore’s JWoww
Actor Mr. T
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals’ Jermaine Gresham, Gene Atkins Jr.
Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson
Rich and Kathy Wakile of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" with Michael Boyle (center) of Morton's The Steakhouse
Dallas
MLB Legends Tommy Lasorda and Juan Marichal
Dallas Mavericks’ Brian Cardinal, Delonte West
Rock and Roll Musician Bob Seger
Denver
Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler
Fort Lauderdale
Miami Dolphins’ Marvin Mitchell, Ryan Cook
Chicago Cubs’ Marlon Byrd
Tennis Player Ryan Sweeting
Hackensack
Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Kathy Wakile
Roy Yamaguchi
Honolulu
Former Governor George Ariyoshi
Hawaii Five-0’s Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park
Hawaiian Entertainer Danny Kaleikini
Celebrity Chef Roy Yamaguchi
Hong Kong
PGA TOUR Golfer Colin Montgomery
PGA TOUR Golfer Colin Montgomery
Jacksonville
Former Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars Wayne Weaver
King of Prussia
Members of the Pittsburgh Penguins
New Orleans
Actor Mark Wahlberg
New Orleans Saints’ Jonathan Vilma, Sedrick Ellis, Will Smith, Cameron Jordan, Malcom Jenkins, Roman Harper, Tracey Porter, Jabari Greer, and Jo-Lonn Dunbar
CNN Host Soledad O’Brien
Palm Desert
PGA TOUR Golfers Chris Kirk and John Jacobs
Reston
Washington Redskins’ Chris Cooley
Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw
Richmond
Oscar-Winning Director Steven Spielberg and Actress Kate Capshaw
San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers Frank Gore
San Jose
San Francisco 49ers Patrick Willis
Scottsdale
PGA TOUR Golfer Doug Tewell
Shanghai
Actress Carina Lau
Actor Sean Lau
Actress Carina Lau
Actor Sean Lau
Troy
NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay
NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay
Tori Amos
Washington D.C. (Connecticut Ave.)
Sportswriters Tony Kornheiser, John Feinstein and Christine Brennan
Investigative Reporter Bob Woodward
Former University of Maryland Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gary Williams
Speaker of the House John Boehner
C-SPAN Host Steve Scully
Mayor of Washington D.C Vincent Gray
Washington Nationals’ Owner Mark Lerner
Washington D.C. (Georgetown)
Musician Tori Amos
Musician Tori Amos
Q: If you could celebrate New Year’s Eve with any celebrity, who would you toast in a glamorous new year with?
Celebrity reporting coverage by Wayne Pua and Sally Shorr
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHRIS ARTINIAN?
05 months ago
Like many of our business guests, I do my fair share of travel. Recently, I visited Asia for a two week period, at rapid speed, to see potential sites and (hopefully) some future Morton’s locations. I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you throughout my travels, city by city:
Ginza
Tokyo: My first stop on this tour and my first ever trip to Japan. What an amazing metropolis of nearly 13 million people, filled with great restaurants, and high end shopping and fashion. I also traveled to wonderful areas like Roppongi Hills and Ginza. Tokyo might possibly be an exciting future destination for the Morton’s brand.
Beijing
Beijing: Outstanding visit to Beijing! Being the capital of one of the fastest growing economies certainly makes this city enticing to open up a global restaurant and my expectations were high before my visit. I have seen and heard so much of this thriving city and now after this trip, I am even more convinced and excited about a potential Morton’s here. A top city in China, Beijing offers the perfect brand alignment for us. I can’t wait to find the perfect location and open our first Morton’s here.
Taipei: Another great potential city for a Morton’s steakhouse. “The Best Steak Anywhere” would make a real splash in this amazing city. As I talked to many folks and business travelers I discovered there was strong brand awareness already here in Taipei, even though we don’t have a Morton’s in this city. A good reminder to me of how prestigious our brand is in Asia and what great opportunities lie ahead for us in this part of the world.
Macau
Macau: Morton’s has been here for four years in the Venetian Hotel and Casino. One of the top 25 tourist destinations in the world, we continue to be a point of destination restaurant and a wonderful oasis for expats and travelers. Our management and staff at Morton’s in Macau truly make all the difference. Our business continues to get stronger here each year.
Hong Kong: This was our second Morton’s restaurant that we opened in Asia, back in 1999, and we’re located in the Sheraton Hotel. What a gorgeous view of Hong Kong, right from my table! We continue to win “Best of” Awards here every year! And we’re so involved in the community as well. We have a very tenured management team lead by our General Manager Steve McCrimmon, and he and his staff have created an American Steakhouse institution in Hong Kong….endless stories of local and expat “WOW” experiences! Recreating the Chicago steakhouse experience in Hong Kong! We are excited in our pursuit of a second Hong Kong Morton’s–more to come on that.
Singapore: Our first Morton’s in Asia, it’s hard to believe that we opened in the prestigious Mandarin Hotel way back in May of 1998! Every time I visit this wonderful city, I get more enamored with this incredible country and how the Morton’s brand has grown with it. Our Singapore location serves as our stepping stone for growth and expansion throughout Asia and has taken care of so many business travelers over our 13 successful years in this market. I am so proud of our people and our reputation here! I feel honored to represent our company and I had the chance to promote our brand and Asia expansion on a recent segment on Channel News Asia.
Shanghai
Shanghai: And now to visit our first restaurant we opened in Mainland China. Morton’s in the IFC celebrated its One Year Anniversary in October. Beautiful views, 11 private rooms, and alfresco patios looking right at the Pearl in Pudong. And of course the BEST STEAK money can buy, delivered by our highly trained and caring Morton’s staff! This is certainly our winning formula. I can’t wait for Morton’s Shanghai #2. One of my highlights was meeting Stacy Ohlsson and Randy Zinck, two Morton’s regular guests. Randy has made it his “Bucket List” to dine at every Morton’s location and had designed a visit to China around dining at three of our Asia Morton’s, in Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai. [Read the recap of their Shanghai adventure below]
What an unforgettable trip for me. We have such a special brand and our success here is made possible by our dedicated and passionate people in each of these cities! I am so touched to see our unparalleled brand be so recognized amongst the finest brands throughout the world! I leave Asia, once again, humbled by the dedication of the Morton’s staff, which makes all the difference with our guests and in each of our local communities.
Great trip and I was so happy to return home to Chicago to see my family….yes, back to my “home” city and the place where it all started for Morton’s!
Hope you enjoyed some the notes I jotted down along the way on my junket throughout Asia. If you ever plan to visit one of our Morton’s overseas, please let us know so we can be ready to take great care of you…I believe you will be amazed as I was…how the American steakhouse experience really resonates in Asia…and why I am so excited about our future in that part of the world!
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Artinian
President & CEO
Morton’s Restaurant Group
The Morton’s Tour: Shanghai Morton’s
After enjoying dinner at Morton’s in Hong Kong and Macau, we journeyed to Shanghai via train. The guide books said that we didn’t need reservations in advance but we played it safe and got our tickets two days ahead of time. Much to our dismay, there were no first or second-class seats available. We would be stuck in the top bunk of a 6-bunk room. Square footage was maybe 48”. And stuck is right as we couldn’t even sit up. It was quite an adventurous 20-hour ride.
The skyscrapers and lights in Shanghai were impressive. The subway system is extensive so it was really easy to get around. Morton’s is on the fourth floor of a trendy and expansive shopping mall. It was breathtaking, as there are 11 private rooms and many of them have views of the spectacular skyline. The bar is oversized and has a nice deck with heaters so guys like Randy can have a cigar. It’s the largest Morton’s in the world!
Once again, the Morton’s staff was stellar and we were treated like royalty. We had our own corner room with a beautiful view of the city. Many different employees greeted us and we were all on a first name basis by the end of the night. The menu was, of course, the same, but the beef was from New Zealand instead of the United States. It was delicious and we added lobster to the deal which was decadent and heavenly.
Cheers! Randy Zinck and Stacy Ohlsson
We had so much fun that we returned the next day for happy hour and a view of the sunset from the deck. The same employees were there (Managers Frederic, Stan, and Diego, and the wait staff) and they kept us entertained the whole time.
We were also delighted to run into Morton’s President and CEO, Christopher Artinian and Asia’s Director of Operations, David Martin once again. We chatted with both of them and were really impressed by their dedication to the company as a whole and specifically to valuing each team member.
We returned to the U.S. on November 22. Randy continued his Morton’s Tour, however, and dined in Las Vegas after Thanksgiving with friends from Wisconsin; it was his friend Larry’s first Morton’s experience along with his nephew’s 40th birthday. Next Morton’s stop for Randy is Honolulu!
By Stacy Ohlsson and Randy Zinck
ONE NAME DESCRIBES IT ALL – REBA!
55 months ago
Country legend Reba McEntire WOWS her fans at Morton’s
One phone call three weeks ago from 93Q Country FM in Houston led to an incredible event at Morton’s the Steakhouse in Houston (Galleria) that even had a former US President wanting to attend: a private meet and greet with country legend and actress Reba McEntire.
On Wednesday, November 16th, fifty 93Q Country contest winners and media were given A-list access to a late afternoon lunch and interview with Reba McEntire. Lisa Olson, Sales and Marketing Manager at Morton’s, knew the exclusive event was going to be historic even before the official announcement on 93Q Country (and the phone lines went wild at Morton’s with guests calling about tickets). “We thought we might have some event crashers show up but fortunately everything ran very smoothly,” said Olson. “When Reba arrived, she was very gracious to our guests and staff. She has a tremendous sense of humor, just like she does in public and on her show. We really enjoyed working with her!”
Although running a few minutes late due to a flight delay (“They wanted to give us a tour of Houston, that’s all,” joked the singer), Reba arrived to a standing ovation from fans and radio press alike then proceeded to make everyone feel like family with her ebullient humor and wit.
93Q Country FM personalities Tim Tuttle, Erica Rico and Kevin Kline
The event featured an up-close-and-personal interview with 93Q Country personalities Tim Tuttle and Kevin Kline, who asked for highlights during her three-decade career. Engagingly, Reba talked about her famous friends, Faith Hill and #41 George Bush (who just so happened to be in the neighborhood minutes before she arrived!), that “Fancy” was her favorite song and her biggest regret was not singing “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” with George Strait. The former “Reba” star also revealed that comedy is still very much in her blood and is currently working on Malibu Country, a new ABC TV pilot about a recently single mother of three who moves her brood from Nashville to Malibu to relaunch her singing career.
The Queen of Country with Morton's staff
Afterward, guests had their pictures taken with the “Queen of Country” and left with life time memories compliments of 93Q Country and Morton’s The Steakhouse.
Hungry for more Reba? Check out this CultureMap Houston story of the country star’s recent private meet-and-greet at Morton’s The Steakhouse.
Reported by Joe Pogge, Strike Marketing
Photos by J&D Productions
Are you ready for more celebrities? Throughout November, Morton’s welcomed…
| Atlanta – Buckhead Musician Tori Amos  John Malkovich Photo credit: Jen Lowery/Startraksphoto.com Brooklyn Burbank  Aretha Franklin Charlotte
Carolina Panthers’ Jason Shirley, Mike Goodson, and Jonathan Stewart Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Denver Fort Lauderdale Hartford Honolulu Hong Kong Jacksonville New Orleans New York |
Northbrook Chicago Bears’ Charles Tillman Palm Desert  Sean Considine Phoenix Reston Richmond  Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan
San Juan
New York Knicks’ Renaldo Balkman Seattle Troy Washington D.C. (Connecticut Ave.) White Plains |
What celebrity would you like to have dinner with? We’d love to hear from you!
Dining with Celebrity Servers and Legends Who Lunch at Morton’s The Steakhouse
25 months ago
Serving Up Philly Steak, Brent Celek Style
Brent Celek and his Celebrity Servers. Go Eagles!
The theme of the evening on Monday, November 14th, 2011 was certainly not just football. Philadelphia Eagles Tight End Brent Celek hosted his 2nd Annual Celebrity Server event at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Philadelphia. The celebrity-studded affair featured Celek and several of his teammates, including Jason Avant, Moise Fokou, LeSean “Shady” McCoy, Todd Herremans, Jon Dorenbos, and several others, who graciously spent their night-off of the field serving guests wine, appetizers and a signature Morton’s steak dinner to families and friends of Brent Celek’s Take Flight Foundation.
Notable Philadelphia personalities, Michael Barkann of SportsRadio WIP & Comcast Sports Net, and Tanya Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Soul and Philly.com were the night’s emcees. The crowd was quickly buzzing with excitement as players began circling the room with trays of hors d’oeuvres, only to quickly replace them with markers and footballs to sign. Photographers rushed to catch candid photo opportunities as the awe-struck kids in attendance approached Eagles players for the must-have pieces of memorabilia. LeSean “Shady” McCoy was the sure fan-favorite of the evening, as the line for his autograph trailed around the room.
From start to finish the evening was action-packed. Jon Dorenbos, who off the field spends his time as a magician, amused guests tableside, while the other players charmed guests with their serving skills. Players both chatted and entertained guests, sharing anecdotes about football, food and more. The well-spoken Celek took to the microphone for most of the evening; however, the always competitive Todd Herremans took over on the mic as he challenged Celek to a bidding war. In addition to the night’s live auction, Celek spoke about his commitment to the Take Flight Foundation – his dedication was clear as guests listened intently to his heart-warming stories of philanthropic work.
Celek and his teammates also donated signed jerseys and other Eagles paraphernalia to the silent auction. Additional must-have items included dinner with Brent at Morton’s, a trip for two to the ESPY’s, and a Costa Rica Couple’s Retreat at Four Seasons Resort. An enthusiastic crowd of 160 guests were in attendance.
Over $85,000 was raised at this year’s event with all proceeds from ticket sales and auctions going to the Brent Celek Take Flight Foundation, providing support and resources to children and families in need. The foundation focuses on providing seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout Greater Philadelphia with daily support and life changing experiences. The goal of the Take Flight Foundation is to have touched the lives of more than 2,000,000 children and their families by 2013.
Reported by Becky Levin, Cashman and Associates
CATCHING up with Detroit Lions Nate Burleson
Nate Burleson and his Celebrity Servers. Go Lions!
Nate Burleson with Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emersen and wife Marlene
The inaugural Nate Burleson Celebrity Server Event did not disappoint Lions fans. About 100 people attended the exclusive, private event held at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Troy, MI location on Monday November 14th, including Detroit Lions players, local business leaders and media. The event title sponsors included Quicken Loans and Fathead.
It's Nate Burleson!
Proceeds from the event benefited the Nate Burleson CATCH Foundation whose purpose is to reach and teach area children and their families by providing them with educational tools to succeed as well as enriching their lives by showing them how to care for others, themselves and their future.
Welcome to Morton's!
The event began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as guests mingled with their favorite Detroit Lions players, who also posed for photos and signed autographs. Following the cocktails and silent auction, guests took their seats and were served by the Detroit Lions, including Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson. Other guest servers included: Quarterback Drew Stanton, Offensive Tackle Rob Sims and Former University of Michigan Basketball Star and member of the Fab 5, Jimmy King. The players took their responsibilities as servers very seriously as they masterfully poured wine, handled stacked salad plates and served guests prime steaks with grace and sophistication.
Following dinner, a live auction was led by Morton’s Troy General Manager, Steve Salmon. Bidding was fast and furious for items such as a private dinner for 4 with Nate Burleson, a game worn helmet and jersey from Nate and a Sommelier Wine and Cheese Experience in Napa Valley. Between the ticket sales, sponsorships, silent and live auction items, the event raised approximately $50,000 in its first year for Nate Burleson’s charity.
Media coverage included this wonderful recap by ABC affiliate, WXYZ-TV.
Reported by Jason Brown, PublicCity PR
Photos by Jerry Richart
High-Steaking with an NHL Legend
The Legend: Luc Robitaille
NHL and L.A. Kings legend Luc Robitaille hosted a Lunch with a Legend event yesterday at Morton’s The Steakhouse in downtown LA. The lunch was broadcast on EPSN Radio. Luc spoke with 710 ESPN hosts Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley, and spoke about getting overlooked at the start of his career, what it was like to work with Wayne Gretzky, and the popularization of hockey and its eventual diminished popularity on the west coast. With 30 seconds left in the interview, Luc was asked to share one thing with his fans. Luc’s last words were, “Where is my steak?” You can listen to a podcast of the event by visiting: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?id=7243974
Reported by Maryam Brown, Murphy O’Brien Public Relations
The New Orleans Saints Celebrity Servers. Go Saints!
Who Dat! Morton’s New Orleans gets a “W” with its Second Annual Celebrity Server Event, featuring the New Orleans Saints
Morton’s The Steakhouse in New Orleans recently hosted the second annual Celebrity Server event featuring Jonathan Vilma of the New Orleans Saints. More than $201,000 was raised and proceeds from the event benefited The Jonathan Vilma Foundation. Although Vilma was called away from the event due to a personal emergency, his teammates came out in force to support their friend off the field.
In Vilma’s absence, Saints Defensive End, Will Smith took over as Master of Ceremonies. Smith and his exuberant Saints teammates served appetizers and wine, along with a four course dinner to the more than 200 guests in attendance.
Teammates who showed up in support of The Jonathan Vilma Foundation included Saints beloved QB Drew Brees, along with Jimmy Graham, Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, and Lance Moore. Fox Sports sideline reporter Jennifer Hale served as emcee for the evening. Among the guests were Saints owner Rita Benson LeBlanc, Mark Romig, CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation and Klaus Frisch, co-founder of Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc.
The players took to the Morton’s dining room much like they do on a field on game day! They did a great job serving guests, taking photos, signing autographs and speaking with guests and local media. Morton’s received fantastic media coverage on The New Orleans Saints Celebrity Server event including The Times-Picayune; NOLA.com; WVUE-TV; CST; The Gambit; BestofNewOrleans.com; NewOrleansLocal.com; NewOrleansSaints.com; JonVilma.com; and Our Louisiana Magazine.
Reported by Carrie DeVries, The Ehrhardt Group
Still hungry? Click these links to learn more about Morton’s exciting Celebrity Server and Lunch with a Legend series throughout the U.S.
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH BRIAN FAETH
06 months ago
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Morton’s salutes all the brave men and women of the United States who protect our country. Today we proudly honor one of our own: Brian Faeth, the Assistant Manager at Morton’s in Boca Raton, Fla., who served in the United States Marine Corps from January 2000 to June 2004. Deployed immediately after September 11, 2001, Faeth served our country bravely in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia as a member of the Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon, whose mission was to seek and destroy tanks before they reached U.S. operating bases. We are fortunate to have Brian as part of our management team at Morton’s The Steakhouse.
OCCUPATION: Assistant Manager and Sommelier, Morton’s The Steakhouse in Boca Raton.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: I love the Bahamas. It’s a paradise where I can really relax and let my mind rest.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M…: Fishing and hanging with my two sons.
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: Scuba diving. I live near the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Keys, which have some of the best places for diving.
MEMORABLE CAREER MOMENT: Getting the prestigious Fish Award when I opened Morton’s in Coral Gables, FL.
FAVORITE DRINK/COCKTAIL: One of my favorite drinks is a slightly dirty vodka martini.
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: Movies with my two boys.
WHAT IT MEANS TO ME TO BE A MARINE: Being a Marine is a frame of mind. It means that you will set your mind on something and accomplish it no matter what. It is being able to make good decisions in high stress environments. It is a code of honor that we hold and never break.
FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL OUT: There is nothing better than spending time at home cooking a nice meal and drinking good wine.
ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE MY MOOD: Positive.
WHOM I MOST ADMIRE: My granddad has been someone I have looked up to since I was a little kid.
PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Becoming a marine.
FAVORITE CUT OF STEAK: Bone-in Filet.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: The best part of my job is…: Being able to work at the best steakhouse in the world and provide a great Morton’s experience to our guests.
Reported by Rachel Shapiro, Pierson Grant Public Relations
What does Veterans Day mean to you? Let us know; we’d love to hear from you!
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH NATE BURLESON
06 months ago
Nate Burleson
When in Detroit, you can’t turn on the TV, radio, log onto Twitter or Facebook and not find some football factoid about Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Nate Burleson. Now that Nate has settled into his second year as a Lion, he has made it clear that this is his new home and he wants to give back to the community as much as possible. We caught up with Nate after practice to learn a little more about his likes and his favorite moments as a football player.
OCCUPATION: Wide Receiver of the Detroit Lions.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Hungry for more.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bahamas.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M…: Watching movies.
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: Scuba diving.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN FOOTBALL: Catching the game-winning TD vs Cincinnati Bengals.
FAVORITE DRINK/COCKTAIL: Vodka cranberry with a splash of Sprite.
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: Food Network.
FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL OUT: My parent’s house with my family.
WHO WOULD PLAY ME IN A HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER: Columbus Short.
PRIZED POSSESSION: My wife.
PRE-GAME RITUALS: Listen to music.
IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALL PLAYER, I’D BE: Broadcaster.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: The best part of my job is…: It’s a brand new experience every time I step onto the field.
Celebrity Servers at Morton’s featuring Nate Burleson and Friends: Join NFL Superstar Nate Burleson and his Detroit Lions teammates for a great cause on Monday, November 14 when they trade in their uniforms and helmets for plates and aprons at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Detroit (Troy), MI. Proceeds benefit the Nate Burleson CATCH Foundation.
Reported by Jason Brown, PublicCity PR
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH GARY BURKART
06 months ago
by Morton's
in Uncategorized
Gary Burkart of Celani Family Vineyards
A former bank marketing whiz with a passion for haute grapes, Gary Burkart practically invented the expression “oenophile”. Today the President of Celani Family Vineyards, Burkart has traded mergers for marketing sublime wine for a living. We caught up with the renowned vintner who ruminates on Costa Rica, crawfish catching and his first “crush” in Napa (cue Lucille Ball).
OCCUPATION: President, Celani Family Vineyards.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Passionate, funny, and faithful.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Costa Rica.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M: My wife and I are chasing our four kids around at every event under the sun.
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: Flying.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN WINEMAKING: I will never forget my first crush in Napa. It was incredible.
MY FAVORITE WINE FOR UNDER $20: A nice dry rosé wine.
WHAT I RECOMMEND DRINKING NOW: I love a Merlot with Cabernet Franc blend.
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: American Idol or X Factor with my kids. I have no say in the matter.
FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL OUT: A cigar bar with my best friend, Mr. Cuban.
WORDS OF WISDOM: Buy high and sell low.
IF I WASN’T IN THE WINEMAKING FIELD, I’D BE: I would start making Hollywood feature films again or go back home to New Orleans and catch crawfish for a living.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: The best part of my job is…: I get to meet the most interesting and exciting people from around the world with only one goal: to enjoy great wine with great friends. Now if only it were possible to solve all the world’s problems within the same amount of time it takes to drink a good bottle of wine. Cheers!
Join Gary Burkart, President of Celani Family Vineyards for a memorable evening of sumptuous food and wine pairings on Friday, November 11 at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Schaumburg, IL. For more information, please visit http://www.mortons.com/schaumburg/specialevents/.
Unforgettable Occasions: Morton’s Golf Experience at TPC Sawgrass
17 months ago
by Morton's
in Uncategorized
What better way to start off a week than by golfing at a prestigious golf course, chatting with PGA TOUR legends, and enjoying a juicy prime steak? From October 16-18, Morton’s The Steakhouse VIPs enjoyed a “once-in-a-lifetime” golfing experience featuring PGA TOUR players Jim Furyk and Mark McCumber in the backdrop of legendary golf course TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
VIPs not only got to play at the site of THE PLAYERS Championship, but they also got to mingle with Jim Furyk (2010 FedEx Cup Champion) and get golfing tips with Mark McCumber (who has 10 career PGA TOUR wins). Our guests came from all over North America (Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, California and Montreal) to get a professional golfing experience that they will never forget.
Jim Furyk (center) with Don Santos and Mickey Fuller
On Sunday, our guests got to stay at the gorgeous Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach. Being the golfing fanatics that our guests are, they were watching the McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, Georgia and cheering on Jim Furyk since they were about to see him in a few hours. After they settled in and Furyk finished playing, our guests got to actually meet, talk, take pictures, and have drinks with Jim Furyk and his wife Tabitha. Talk varied from golfing tips to asking Furyk how life is like being a PGA TOUR player. How often do you get to personally interact with a sports star you were cheering for after watching them play?
PGA TOUR's Mark McCumber (center) on the range with Morton's VIPs
On Monday, our guests had a custom Bridgestone Golf Ball fitting where their swing was analyzed and then were provided with golf balls that fit their swing. Next they got to practice their putting while several Nationwide players were also practicing for their upcoming tournament.
Morton's VIP, Don Santos and his caddy
Guests also had full access to the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse where they had their own locker with name plate, just like a PGA TOUR Player. Mark McCumber provided everyone with personable golfing tips and even golfed with each guest on a hole. The learning did not stop there as their personal caddies also provided each guest with their own personal golfing tips and attention on every shot. After the long day of golfing and relaxing at the Sawgrass Marriott, our VIPs’ day continued at our Morton’s location in Jacksonville where they had an awesome steak dinner and a tasting of our Double Cross Vodka Mortinis ($1 of each purchase goes to the PGA TOUR charity, Birdies for the Brave). Our VIPs left Morton’s full and with PGA TOUR gear as well as Morton’s gift cards.
Robert Hancock, Christopher McLucas, Jake Hardin and Bruce Zielinski
On Tuesday, our VIPs started to head back to their respective homes all over the continent. With full stomachs and a better equipped golfing game, our guests left happy after experiencing the best start of a week in a while. One of the more popular questions though was “So, when are we doing this again?”
Enjoy!
Heather Grobaski
“PGA TOUR Concierge” / National Accounts Manager
Morton’s The Steakhouse
MOST VALUABLE PARTY: Larry Fitzgerald’s Celebrity Server Event at Morton’s Scottsdale
27 months ago
Larry Fitzgerald, Muhammad Ali and Roger Drake of Morton's
The third annual Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Server Event was an experience to remember for each guest in attendance. The event drew 179 guests, including Arizona Cardinals players and their families, local celebrities and media, to Morton’s The Steakhouse in Scottsdale, AZ on Monday, October 3, to support the well-known wide receiver and his two charities. Proceeds from the event benefited the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, which aims to help victims of AIDS, breast cancer, and other diseases Fitzgerald’s mother was involved in supporting, and the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund, which supports youth organizations throughout the country through resources and funding. The event title sponsors included Desert Institute for Spine Care and The Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Cocktail hour kicked off the evening with hors d’oeuvres, as guests were granted exclusive access to mingle with their favorite Cardinals players for photo opportunities and autograph signing. As dinner began, the players impressed guests with skills of masterfully pouring wine, handling stacked salad plates and delivering sizzling steak entrées.
Larry Fitzgerald and his Celebrity Servers. Go Cardinals!
A highlight of the evening was the surprise arrival of legend and Arizona resident, Muhammad Ali. Silence and awe fell over the crowd as he entered, followed by a moving standing ovation! His attendance at the event in support of Fitzgerald and his great cause was reflected throughout the entire evening, as guests made impressive donations to the two charities.
Fitzgerald’s two aunts, one who is a breast cancer survivor, father and brother all spoke to thank the event guests for their generosity, to honor the memory of Carol Fitzgerald, and to continue to spread hope of finding a cure. Between the silent auction items, including staycation retreats and Morton’s gift baskets, and the live auction of Fitzgerald’s game worn attire, the event raised $220,000, a record amount for Fitzgerald’s two charities, resulting in the highest grossing Celebrity Server Event to date!
Sweet Finale
Read all about it! Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Server Event media coverage included ABC, CBS, FOX,
Desert Living Today, Phoenix Business Journal, Morton’s Blog – The Best Steak Anywhere and Arizona Foothills Magazine.
Reported by Katherine Thornhill, E.B. Lane
Photos by Yeung Photography
Still hungry? Click this link to learn more about Morton’s exciting Celebrity Server series throughout the U.S.
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH CHARLES TILLMAN
07 months ago
Known for being one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL, Charles “Peanut” Tillman also enjoys giving back to children and families in need through the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation. Sporting a famous nickname, “Peanut” (given to him by an aunt as a baby because he reminded her of a peanut), Tillman’s also been a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award which recognizes NFL players for their charitable work. We caught up with the Bears cornerback to talk about pre-game rituals, matadors, and his passion for movies.
Charles Tillman
OCCUPATION: Sports Administration.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Spontaneous, fun, fun-loving.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Athens, Greece.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M…: At the movie theater.
ON THAT NOTE, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Star Wars. All six!
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: Running with the bulls in Spain. Actually, just dressing up in the matador suit and watching. Close up, of course.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN FOOTBALL: A Monday night game against Arizona in 2006 when we came back to win in the 4th quarter.
FAVORITE DRINK/COCKTAIL: My recipe that I call “Homemade Mexican Ginger Ale”. Mix equal parts Coke and Sprite with a shot of tequila and some freshly squeezed lime juice. The fresh lime juice is key!
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: Criminal Minds, True Blood, Entourage, Boardwalk Empire.
FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL OUT: My private theater room.
WHO WOULD PLAY ME IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE BLOCKBUSTER: Anthony Mackie.
PRIZED POSSESSION: My three kids, ages five, three and two.
PRE-GAME RITUALS: I wake up at 5am, watch film, go to the stadium, see the chiropractor, get taped, and go through my routine. Then I say my prayers while holding Lach’s (Brian Urlacher) left hand, drink a Spark energy drink, say another prayer, run out onto the field and pick up some of the grass (a little difficult when we play on astro turf), smell it, throw it, and say, “This is my home, let’s go!”
IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALL PLAYER, I’D BE: In law enforcement. My degree was in criminal justice.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: The best part of my job is…: Getting paid to play football!
Join NFL Superstar Charles Tillman and his Chicago Bears teammates for big steaks and a great cause on Monday, October 17 when they trade in their uniforms and helmets for plates and aprons at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Northbrook, IL!
Reported by Lindsay Rafayko, Empower Public Relations and Wayne Pua