When you are serving in a bar or restaurant, you sometimes have to deal with irascible customers. This Saturday, participants in the 4e edition of the race for waitresses and waiters had to face capricious weather. The rain hit the old town of Belfort just a few minutes before the start. Just enough to make the 3.8 km of the route a little more difficult and in particular the cobbled descent from the Milo-Géhant car park. Not enough to scare the forty competitors registered for the race. “After two years of absence, it is a satisfaction. We have participants from all over the Urban Area, even if several establishments were unable to participate due to lack of staff”, rejoices Emmanuel Lippi, the president of the festival committee, which organized the event.
A much sought-after godmother
Shortly after 4 p.m., everyone set off with their well-laden tray: bottle of Orangina, glass of syrup and cup of coffee. All under the orders of the godmother of this edition: Pola Petrenko, actress of the series Here everything begins on TF1.
The presence in Belfort of the one who plays the role of Charlène Teyssier in this fiction around the world of catering attracted crowds. Nearly 1,500 people lined up on the Place d’Armes to have an autograph or a photo with the young lady. “I didn’t expect to see so many people. It is extremely pleasing to see that the series touches people so much. »
“I would have liked to try to carry the set, even if filming is sometimes a disaster”, slips the young actress, who witnessed the victory of Lætitia Wolfersperger and Paul Bourquin from afar, after around twenty minutes of effort. A habit for Lætitia, representing the festival committee, who won for the third time in as many participations. Revenge for Paul, from La Fontaine des Saveurs (Belfort), first on arrival but beaten on penalties in 2019, and who experienced a reverse fate this time. But for all, the important thing was to participate. And it is not Sandrine Campy, alias “Granny”, who will say the opposite. Arriving last in the race, she was able to take advantage of the unfailing support of her family and her colleagues at the Bistroquet de Belfort.
The first six waiters and the first six waitresses are qualified for the French championship on September 17 in Limoges.