Ready, steady, eau! Paris waiters race which sees hundreds of service fast walk through the city whilst carrying hot drinks and croissants returns for first time in 13 years
The Paris waiters race where service staff speed walk through the city whilst carrying hot drinks and croissants has returned to Paris for the first time since 2011.
The Course Des Café or Cafe Waiters’ Race first started over a hundred years ago in 1914 and saw almost 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their workwear, race 1.2 miles to and from the french capital’s city hall next to the river Seine.
Contestants must only carry the tray, which includes a classic french breakfast of a coffee, croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop must be spilled. Judges were on hand at the end of the race to check the trays for spillage.
The men’s winner was Samy Lamrous who walked the route at a brisk pace of 13 minutes and 30 seconds. While the women’s winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished with a time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
Both winners were presented with a medal by the Mayor of Paris – Anne Hidalgo and they will also receive a complimentary night in a posh hotel.
A waiter taking part in the Course Des Café or Cafe Waiters’ Race. The first race started over a hundred years ago in 1914 and sees almost 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their workwear, race 1.2 miles to and from the french capital’s city hall on the river Seine
A group of contestants at the start line. The men’s winner was Samy Lamrous walked the route in just 13 minutes and 30 seconds while the women’s winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished with a time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds
Waiters just leaving the start line from Hôtel de Ville, Paris’s city hall. Paris’s deputy mayor responsible for business, told France 24 that the race was originally started to ‘highlight this French style of service, these establishments that are envied the world over, this Parisian way of life’
Eau de Paris, the city water authority for Paris and sponsporers of the event, wrote on X: ‘This Sunday, nearly 300 waitresses and waiters took on an original challenge in the heart of Paris and brought a legendary event back to life! Here are the medal-winning athletes. Congratulations to all!’
Waiters races were a popular spectacle in the early 20th century with races also taking place in London and Berlin but the first race was in Paris in 1914.
The race stopped after 2011 due to the lack of a sponsor but similar races have taken place in French towns and cities, such as Marseille, since then.
Nicolas Bonnet-Olulaldj, Paris’s deputy mayor responsible for business, told France 24 that the race was originally started to ‘highlight this French style of service, these establishments that are envied the world over, this Parisian way of life.’
Mr Bonnet-Olulaldj also said he wanted the upcoming Olympic games in Paris to give ‘a positive boost to the profession’ of restaurants and waitering staff.
The winners of the race were presented with a medal by the Mayor of Paris – Anne Hidalgo and they will also receive a complimentary night in a posh hotel
Contestants must only carry the tray, which includes a classic french breakfast of a coffee, croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop must be spilled. Judges were on hand at the end of the race to check the trays for spillage
The race in Paris stopped after 2011 due to the lack of a sponsor but similar races have taken place in French towns and cities, such as Marseille, since then.
Paris is currently gearing up to host the summer Olympics. In February it was announced that medal winners will be rewarded with a small piece of the Eiffel Tower inside their medals.
A hexagonal piece of iron taken from the Eiffel Tower has been embedded in each gold, silver and bronze medal, and Thierry Reboul, the creative director of Paris 2024, has explained the thinking behind the design.
Mr Reubol said: ‘It’s the opportunity for the athletes to bring back a piece of Paris with them.’
The Paris 2024 Olympics will start on Friday July 26.
