James Harden and Chris Paul Play Waiters in Ultimate Houston Sports Celebrity Dinner: Getting Served by The Beard

It would be difficult to say what was more delicious Sunday night, the celebrity lineup at the Chris Paul Family Foundation dinner or the hefty four-course meal that was served by celebs at Mastro’s Steakhouse. It depends, of course, on whether your taste for Houston Rockets basketball is greater than your appreciation of melt-in-your-mouth steaks.

On all levels, the evening was a win for everyone. Imagine being served dinner by James Harden, Gerald Green, or Carmelo Anthony. Those guys and many of their teammates, along with Paul, donned chefs jackets bearing the Chris Paul Foundation logo, and play acted like waiters.

The good sports waiting tables at the “Celebrity Server Dinner” included Grammy Award-winner Yolanda Adams; Rockets Gary Clark, Eric Gordon, Michael Carter-Williams, Clint Capela and Isaiah Hartenstein; as well as retired Houston Texan Wade Smith and the Astros (for now) pitcher Dallas Keuchel. The high spirits and laughter continued throughout the benefit that saw Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier serve as emcee and acclaimed violinist Lee England Jr. perform.

As if that weren’t enough for the 200-plus attendees, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes, Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown and two-time NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler also showed.

Designated from the night’s proceeds were the Urban Enrichment Institute (formerly the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program), a youth leadership and development program for at-risk males 12 to 19, and The Way Home, a coalition aiming to prevent and end homelessness. The foundation’s mission is to positively impact individuals and families by leveling the playing field in education, sports and life.