Hundreds of people have taken part in the annual National Waiters’ Day race in Hyde Park , led by First Dates star Fred Sirieix.
More than 300 took part in the short 80 yard dash carrying a tray with a bottle of water near to the bandstand on May 16.
The race included student and professional waiters, bar tenders, baristas, and was won by Gigo Machitidze and Charlotte Storey.
The event helps mark National Waiters Day, which falls on the same day and is the brainchild of the Fred, the maître d’ in the popular Channel 4 show which sees couples meet for the first time on blind dates over dinner.
The event is designed to celebrate and promote working in the hospitality trade, and more than 30 employers were in attendance at Hyde Park, seeking to entice prospective jobseekers.
Mr Sirieix said: “I was excited to once again lead the race and celebrations in Hyde Park on May 16 - to be celebrating our fifth year of National Waiters’ Day was a wonderful milestone!
“It’s essential that we promote the ocean of career opportunities hospitality has to offer, celebrate the hard work of front of house professionals, and encourage more people to begin great careers in hospitality.
“With all the opportunities available, you can work hard and be rewarded with success – there has never been a more exciting time to join this special industry.”
Waiters’ races have been run for more than a century, and though the most famous is the “Course des Garçons de Café” in France, the first one took place in London in 1901.
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