Morton's The Steakhouse announced a partnership with Feeding America the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and has committed to raise a minimum of $75,000 through auctions and donations at Morton’s restaurants, including Louisville. The collaboration will run through February 2010. Morton’s in Louisville will be working locally with the Dare to Care organization.

“With Morton’s 31-year history of giving back to local communities, we are confident that in 2009 our partnership with Feeding America will take great strides towards the ultimate goal of eliminating hunger throughout the United States,” said Joe Effert, general manager for Morton’s of Louisville. “We have an exciting campaign planned in the coming months and Morton’s will donate a portion of ticket sales to events and all proceeds from a silent auction to Feeding America and Dare to Care in Louisville. Based on past initiatives, we expect to surpass the $75,000 campaign objective.”

Morton’s is committed to raising funds for Feeding America (formerly known as “America’s Second Harvest”) in a variety of ways for both for the national office as well as local food bank members. Although the campaign will contain multiple initiatives, the cornerstone is a 41-market book tour to support the launch of Morton’s second cookbook. Titled Morton’s The Cookbook: 100 Steakhouse Recipes For Every Kitchen, the book is now available in stores and at Morton’s restaurants.

Louisville will host a cookbook signing on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. featuring Tylor Field, III, one of the cookbook authors. The event will also include a silent auction. The ticket price is $59 at each location and includes a copy of the new cookbook, select appetizers as well as wines and spirits featured in the cookbook, along with a $5 contribution per attendee for Feeding America.

In addition to the book tour, the campaign includes the auctioning of a “Chef’s Table for Six” experience at Morton’s restaurants. This will be auctioned at book tour events as well as at the 40 other non-tour Morton’s locations except in states where it is prohibited due to liquor laws.

The "Chef's Table for Six” experience features a multi-course dinner at the "Chef's Table” – a table for six next to the open kitchen where Louisville Morton's chef Nick Butler will serve guests. Each delicious course will be created from Morton’s The Cookbook recipes and attendees will receive a copy of the cookbook. In addition, the chef will present item descriptions and special "notes” – inside tips that are not in the book. During each course, the Morton's Sommelier will pour a different wine and explain each one in detail. A photo will also be taken of the group of six and will be featured on that restaurant’s black and white celebrity wall.

In addition to the “Chef’s Table for Six”, Morton’s will also raise money for Feeding America by auctioning a 3-liter bottle of wine provided by Chateau St Michelle and an autographed DVD of "Scream," signed by actors David Arquette and Courtney Cox, leading advocates of Feeding America.

“Each year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors,” said Stan Siegwald, Director of Development at Feeding America. “We are delighted to partner with Morton’s on our mission to feed America's hungry and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.”

About Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network)

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Morton’s

Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the world's largest operator of company-owned upscale steakhouses. Morton's steakhouses have remained true to its founders' original vision of combining generous portions of high quality food prepared to exacting standards with exceptional service in an enjoyable dining environment.

The Company owns and operates 77 Morton's steakhouses located in 65 cities in 27 states, and in Puerto Rico and six international locations (Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mexico City), as well as two Italian restaurants.

Please visit our Morton’s Web site at www.mortons.com.