National Waiters Day comes to Eastbourne!
It's Thursday 20th October, the venue is the Western Lawns in Eastbourne on the South Coast of England... and it's National Waiters Day 2016!.
Here at the Grand in Eastbourne, we decided we wanted to be part of National Waiters Day so we set about putting on our very own Race... 'The Race on the Lawns'. The big event race is held each year in Hyde Park and attracts hundreds of people, but we wanted our own down here on the South Coast.
National Waiters Day is the brainchild of Fred Sirieix. His vision was a day to celebrate all Front of House Staff and inspire people about careers in the hospitality industry. The day is co hosted by the Springboard Charity and is part of their Front of House Festival which runs the entire week, full of events and fun and aimed at showcasing the industry as a vibrant and dynamic place to work.
We contacted our colleagues at various hotels along the seafront to join us. In total five teams took part in the relay race. The Grand, The Lansdowne, The View, The Langham and the Hospitality team of Sussex Downs College. Each team were asked to donate £20.00 entrance fee which went to the Springboard INSPIRE Charity, joint organisers of today's race.
10.45am and the stage was set! Bollards marked out the racing line, trays of plastic glasses filled with water (risk assessment and health and safety done!) ready on silver trays and plenty of supporters for each team had gathered.
11.00am and they were off! Some ran, some walked, some trotted: all had their own game plans. Placards were held aloft.. One stating 'If all else fails... Cheat'!! Much cheering could be heard around the lawns plus some very confused looking passers by who must have wondered what they had stumbled upon. The Grand came in first across the line with the most water remaining in the glasses and fastest time; great celebration ensued, so much so the tray was knocked from Paul's grasp and the team were disqualified! Oh the harshness of the adjudicator - (General Manager of the Grand) And so it was deemed the Lansdowne Hotel, our closest neighbours were the winners of the inaugural Waiters Race in Eastbourne and recieved their bottle of Champagne.
A great time was certainly had by all and this is most definitely in the diary for next year... Perhaps our team need to practise their winning celebrations a little more over the coming year! Our proud team were: Paul Cissowski (Mirabelle Head Waiter), Tiago Constancio (Assistant F&B Manager), Marcin Borowski (C&B Supervisor), Fayez Mbarek (Lounge Waiter).
If you are interested in working with us as a waiter or indeed any areas of the hotel, then do contact our Personnel Department for more information... we are always on the look out for that special member of staff to join our family. Email Sarah Hoyle - shoyle@elitehotels.co.uk
For more information on the National Waiters Day go to www.nationalwaitersday.com