Wait Staffs To Test Their Steady Hands At Princeton Waiters' Race

PRINCETON, NJ — Wait staffs from 15 local restaurants will put their tray-balancing skills to the test at the seventh annual Waiters’ Race, an event exclusively held by the Princeton Merchants Association, on Thursday, July 13, 4 p.m. at the Princeton Shopping Center. Each year, the race course alternates between the Princeton Shopping Center and Palmer Square.

This year, the start line will be right next to the Main Street Cabana. There is no rain date for this event.
During this event, which organizers call “a true celebration of the servers and staff who take care of over 60,000 guests a week throughout Princeton,” over 70 waiters and waitresses from Princeton area restaurants will race while balancing two full glasses of water and 2 full water bottles (lids off, of course!) on their trays. The winners will take home over $3,800 in cash, prizes and bragging rights for the next year.

“Each year our field of competitors grows as does the popularity and attendance of this event,” Princeton Merchants Association President John Marshall said. “We return to The Princeton Shopping Center in 2017 where competitors will have to test their balance and their speed since the track is flat and quick. We also will find out if two-time men’s champion, Witherspoon Grill’s Dan Speck, can reclaim the men’s crown that was last his at the Shopping Center in 2015. The PMA Waiters’ Race has definitely become a summer must-attend event in Princeton.”

This year’s participants include: Agricola, Alchemist & Barrister, Blue Point Grill, Ivy Inn, Jammin’ Crepes, Main Street Bistro, McCaffrey’s, Mediterra, Nomad Pizza, Peacock Inn, Teresa Caffe, Triumph Brewing Company, Winberries, Witherspoon Grill and the Yankee Doodle Tap Room.

• First Place: $350 cash, weekend overnight stay at the Nassau Inn, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.
• Second Place: $200 cash, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.
• Third Place: $100 cash, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.

The awarded prizes are generously donated by local merchants. Top sponsors this year include: MacLean Agency, Nassau Inn, Terra Momo Restaurant Group (Mediterra, Teresa Caffe & Eno Terra), Princeton Shopping Center, McCaffrey’s, Palmer Square Management, Chez Alice and JM Group (Witherspoon Grill, Blue Point Grill, Nassau Street Seafood and Princeton Farmers’ Market). Other Sponsors include: Joycards, Agricola, Nomad Pizza, Bon Appetite, Alchemist & Barrister, Arts Council of Princeton, The Bent Spoon, Hamilton Jewelers, Ivy Inn, Jammin’ Crepes, La Jolie Salon & Spa, Lindt, Main Street Bistro and Café, Monday Morning Flowers, PNC Bank, Princeton Printers, Road ID, Princeton University Store, Small World Coffee, Smith’s Ace Hardware, Triumph Brewing Company & Whole Earth Center.

Those interested in participating need to pre-register. The fee is $20. Six participants are allowed to register from each local restaurant. All participants will receive an official race day t-shirt and goodie bag.
For further information about the Waiters’ Race, contact PMA Board Member John Marshall, Main Street Bistro,president@princetonmerchants.org or Laura Estey, Assistant General Manager, Witherspoon Grill, waitersraceprincetonnj@gmail.com.

Patch file photo