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 Parisian waiters race, which sees wait staff walking quickly through the city while holding hot drinks and croissants, has returned to Paris for the first time since 2011.
The Course Des Café or Cafe Waiters’ Race started over a hundred years ago in 1914 and saw almost 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their work clothes, race 2 miles to and from the French capital’s town hall next to the River Seine.
Participants may only carry the tray, which consists of a classic French breakfast with a coffee, croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop may be spilled. At the end of the race, judges were present to check the trays for spills.
The men’s winner was Samy Lamrous who ran the route in 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 received a medal from the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and they also receive a free night in a chic hotel.
A waiter participating in the Course Des Café or Cafe Waiters’ Race. The first race started over a hundred years ago in 1914 and featured nearly 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their work clothes, racing 2 miles to and from the French capital’s town hall on the Seine River.
A group of participants at the starting line. In the men’s race, Samy Lamrous won the route in just 13 minutes and 30 seconds, while the women’s winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished in a time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
Waiters are just leaving the starting line of the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’ city hall. The deputy mayor of Paris in charge of business told France 24 that the race was originally started to “highlight this French style of service, these establishments envied all over the world, this Parisian way of life.”
Eau de Paris, the city water board of Paris and sponsors of the event, wrote on Here are the medal-winning athletes. Congratulations everyone!’
Waiter 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 since taken place in French towns and cities such as Marseille.
Nicolas Bonnet-Olulaldj, the deputy mayor of Paris responsible for affairs, said France 24 that the race was originally started to “showcase the French style of service, these establishments envied the world over, this Parisian way of life.”
Mr Bonnet-Olulaldj also said he wanted the upcoming Paris Olympics to “give a positive boost to the profession” of restaurants and wait staff.
The winners of the race received a medal from the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and they also receive a free night in a chic hotel
Participants may only carry the tray, which consists of a classic French breakfast with a coffee, croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop may be spilled. At the end of the race, judges were present to check the trays for spills
The Paris race stopped after 2011 due to the lack of a sponsor, but similar races have since taken place in French towns and cities such as Marseille.
Paris is currently preparing to host the Summer Olympics. In February it was announced that medalists will be rewarded with a small piece of the Eiffel Tower in their medals.
A hexagonal piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower is embedded in each gold, silver and bronze medal, and Paris 2024 creative director Thierry Reboul explained the thinking behind the design.
Mr Reubol said: ‘It is the opportunity for the athletes to take back a piece of Paris with them.’
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games start on Friday, July 26.