'Waiter race' is the Olympics for restaurant staff

Every year from 1914 to 2011, Parisian restaurant staff have raced through the streets with a loaded tray in the city's famed annual 'waiter race'.

It originally began as a way to celebrate the professionalism of French waiters before it spread to other European cities, including London and Berlin.

But the original Paris waiter race was abandoned 13 years ago after it failed to attract its usual event sponsors.

The city was able to resurrect the tradition in March 2024 with the help of official sponsors including the Paris City Hall and Water Authority.

'La course de garons de cafe', as its called in its native French tests the ability of wait staff to carry a fully loaded tray at speed around a 2km track.

To complete the race, waiters must not spill anything and must only use one hand to carry the tray at all times.

This year the tray was loaded with a traditional Parisian breakfast of a croissant, a cup of coffee and a glass of water.

Around 200 waiters took off from the starting line this year but only two could claim a coveted spot on the winner's podium.

In 2024, Pauline Van Wymeersch and Samy Lamrous were awarded the title of Paris' fastest waiters.

As part of their prize, the women's and men's division winners received a medal and a night's accommodation in a fancy Parisian hotel.