National Waiters' Day returns to celebrate front-of-house staff

22-Aug-2016 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 18:33 GMT

Hard working front-of-house staff are set to be celebrated at this year’s National Waiters' Day on 20 October.

The event was launched by Fred Sirieix, general manager of Galvin at Windows, in 2013 to challenge public perceptions of hospitality careers.

This year’s celebration, led by The Springboard Charity, will include the annual Waiters' Day race, with staff running through London’s Hyde Park and other locations across the UK.

Visitors to Hyde Park will also be able to take part in activities showcasing hospitality employers and the skills needed to succeed in front-of-house roles.

Sirieix, said: “I am very proud and excited to be involved with the celebrations for National Waiters' Day again on 20 October - it’s a truly wonderful day to celebrate the ocean of career opportunities within the hospitality industry, as well as the hard work of all front-of-house professionals.

“There has never been a more exciting time to both join and succeed in this very special industry. If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Festival fever

This year’s National Waiters' Day forms part of Springboard's Front of House Festival, which will promote hospitality careers from 17-21 October.

Businesses are being encouraged to host events and invite students and jobseekers to take part.

Anne Pierce, Springboard CEO, said: “The Front of House Festival has been devised to increase awareness of the range of roles available. It’s the ideal opportunity for jobseekers and businesses alike, with activities ranging from skills challenges to talks, and of course the Waiters' Day Race!”

Entrants in the race are required to pay a £10 registration fee, with the funds raised going towards Springboard’s Food & Beverage (FAB) programme in schools.

Front-of-house stage

Gary Usher's restaurant Burnt Truffle in Heswall is also planning to launch a new project, The Swap, ahead of National Waiters' Day on 10 October.

Designed to imitate the chef's stage, the initiative will see restaurants pair up to 'swap' front-of-house staff for the week.

The project is the brainchild of Burnt Truffle general manager Emma Underwood, and is currently seeking funding to help cover travel and accommodation costs for participants.

For more information on National Waiters' Day see here, or to get involved with the Front of House Festival click here.