Registration Criteria
Historically, the race was exclusively reserved for professionals of the food service industry. In addition, waiters races were run by waiters, not waitresses. Things have changed today and races are now open to all types of people, no matter what gender, race, or religion.
However, sometimes competitors must also be actively employed in a restaurant or cafe at time of the competition to participate in a waiters race. The boys involved in waiters races represent their cafes or restaurants. Other races, however, welcome all professionals (or amateurs) even if they are not employed by a cafe or restaurant at the time of the registration.
The different categories of competitors
Because of the diversity of competitors and the physical aspect of such a competition, rules generally provide several categories based on professional or physical criteria. This gives everyone an equal chance to win. The main categories identified can be classified according to professional criteria (Professionals, Amateurs, Apprentices) or according to physical criteria (Men, Women, Senior and Child).
Professionals
Historically, we must remember that the waiters race aimed at improving the recognition of the profession. The professionals make the show, and races reserved for professionals are considered the most spectacular events because the physical qualities and talents of the competitors are unparalleled to non professionals. Some races have their heroes from year to year, their favorite, their artists and their challengers! It is also possible to set up sub-group categories to show certain skills of the profession, as for example the Ranking Chief category.
Apprentice waiters
With the growing professional movement of the waiter profession, schools of waiters and hotels have emerged in the waiters race world. It is perfectly legitimate for young apprentices to participate in races together with other professionals. These young competitors are the future of the profession and the race is a way for them to prove themselves in front of potential recruiters.
Amateurs
Many waiters races now invite fans who want to challenge professionals. This is a great way to involve people into the playful and competitive event. It is sometimes surprising to see how fans take the competition seriously. The amateur category is usually not mixed with the professional category and a delayed start is often preferred.
Celebrities
A celebrities category (who often takes place before or after the main race) will make the race more glittzy and will attract additional media and public attention. This category is often created when the race has a charitable purpose. It is a way for celebrities to contribute to the cause they support and to the waiters profession.
Categories man / woman
Women have taken an important place in modern waiters races. Indeed, the races simply reflect a reality in today’s world: the food industry’s staff is mixed. Therefore, races organizers have created races for men and women with winners in each category. It is also an opportunity to organize a ceremony to give prizes to each competition.
The different forms of participation
Individual competitor
Traditionally each competitor runs on his own behalf and for his caféי or restaurant. Some rules allow only one waiter per cafe. Instead, some cafes or cafe chains prefer to increase their chances of success and register many on their behalf.
Racing Team
More and more races include a category called “team”. This category is particularly fitting for cafés where waiters work in a team in the same establishment. The winning team may be elected pursuant to the average time of its members, or simply to the first team to cross the line in a relay race where each waiter of the team runs a part of the route and passes the tray to the next waiters.
