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Participants at this year’s “Course des cafés” in Paris
Photo: Christophe Petit Tesson / EPA
A cup of coffee, a glass of water and a croissant on the tray and get to your destination as quickly as possible without spilling anything and without running: after more than ten years, the traditional “waiter's run” took place in Paris for the first time on Sunday , which was renamed in a gender-neutral way to “Course des cafés”, café running.
Over 200 waitresses and waiters took part in the competition. The two-kilometer-long route ran, among other things, through the well-known tourist district of Le Marais. The starting signal was given in front of the magnificent Paris City Hall.
The event first took place in 1914. According to the organizers, including the city of Paris and the Union of Hospitality and Industry (UMIH) Paris Île-de-France, the revival of the tradition is intended to enhance the image around four months before the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition to sport, they also want to promote the water of Paris and the excellence of French service, far away from the cliché of the rude waiter.
The event may only be attended in traditional work clothing: black bottoms and white shirt or blouse. The tray on which there is a coffee, a croissant and a glass of water is properly round.
hpi/dpa