The City’s Prelude in the Park is best known for its fun-filled activities that lead up to the Pacific Symphony concert, but on July 28, the event will also feature a race course with some of the speediest waiters in town vying to be first across the finish line in a competition to raise money for a good cause.
The challenge? To balance a fully loaded tray, including a wine bottle and two empty glasses while speed walking a weaving course through a jam-packed crowd on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park without dropping a thing. The grand prize winner will receive $500 (sponsored by South County Lexus), with the second and third finishers receiving $200 and $100, respectively.
Local restaurants are invited to take part in the “Waiters’ Race,” hosted by the City of Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and the Mission Viejo Rotary. The race will give restaurants a chance to promote their businesses and support a good cause. So far, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Company, Delizie Ristorante and Bar, and Piccolino Ristorante and Pizzeria have signed on to compete. Individual waiters are also invited to participate.
Registration is $100 and includes up to two waiters along with the eatery’s name in the program, on the racer’s bib, the City’s website and more. Proceeds will benefit local scholarships to Saddleback College.
The tradition of the waiters’ race began in France, where it is known as the “course de garcons de café.” It was designed to draw recognition to the honorable profession of waiting tables and also to test waiters’ skills and perhaps even improve their service. The race falls in line with this year’s Target Symphony in the Cities’ musical prelude “Paris in the Park” theme.
For more information and to register for the fun-filled Waiters’ Race, contact Ashley Blair at 949-470-3075 or ablair@cityofmissionviejo.org.
