NATIONAL Waiters’ Day takes place on May 16 and hotels and restaurants are being offered the chance to celebrate their front of house staff at an annual race on the lawns.

Organised by The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, the event involves waiters testing their speed, agility and balance as they complete the relay-style race on the Western Lawns with trays of water-filled champagne flutes.

Last year’s Race on the Lawns involved teams from The Grand, The Lansdowne, The View, The Langham and Sussex Downs College and organisers want to make this year’s event even bigger and better.

National Waiters’ Day is organised by the Springboard Charity as part of its Front of House Festival, through which hospitality front of house roles are celebrated nationally.

The day aims to help change perceptions of front of house hospitality jobs and highlight the hard work and dedication of staff.

Any hotels or restaurants wishing to take part in this year’s Race on the Lawns should contact Sarah Hoyle at shoyle@elitehotels.co.uk by Friday April 21.

Entry costs £20 per team which will go directly to the Springboard Charity to support its work helping young people and adults achieve their potential within the UK hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.

The Grand was named one of the 30 top places to work in hospitality.