Shopping in Leeds city centre came to a standstill in June 1986 as a group of waiters showed their racing skills. The first ever Leeds waiters' race, a curtain raiser to the Lord Mayor's Parade was started by Miss Leeds Metro '86 Julie Garnett from Commercial Street and finished under three minutes later outside the Bistro Fiori. Mark Hatton, a waiter at the Queens Hotel, was first across the finishing line with his tray, bottle of bubbly, glass and ashtray intact. He received a cheque for £100 from the Bistro Fiori.Shopping in Leeds city centre came to a standstill in June 1986 as a group of waiters showed their racing skills. The first ever Leeds waiters' race, a curtain raiser to the Lord Mayor's Parade was started by Miss Leeds Metro '86 Julie Garnett from Commercial Street and finished under three minutes later outside the Bistro Fiori. Mark Hatton, a waiter at the Queens Hotel, was first across the finishing line with his tray, bottle of bubbly, glass and ashtray intact. He received a cheque for £100 from the Bistro Fiori.
Shopping in Leeds city centre came to a standstill in June 1986 as a group of waiters showed their racing skills. The first ever Leeds waiters' race, a curtain raiser to the Lord Mayor's Parade was started by Miss Leeds Metro '86 Julie Garnett from Commercial Street and finished under three minutes later outside the Bistro Fiori. Mark Hatton, a waiter at the Queens Hotel, was first across the finishing line with his tray, bottle of bubbly, glass and ashtray intact. He received a cheque for £100 from the Bistro Fiori.

Leeds and Yorkshire: Hotel and restaurant waiters and waitresses you may remember

They aimed to offer service with a smile.
Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 28th Oct 2023, 04:45 BST

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These photos showcase the waiters and waitresses who (probably) served you back in the day. They all proved a hit with customers at restaurants and hotels in Leeds, Harrogate and further afield around God’s own county. Spotted anyone you remember? READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

January 1992 and waiter Steven Coates was hoping to boost his prospects in the national Young Waiter of the Year contest. The 20-year-old who worked at The Crown Hotel, had won his way to the northern finals of the contest.

7. Harrogate

January 1992 and waiter Steven Coates was hoping to boost his prospects in the national Young Waiter of the Year contest. The 20-year-old who worked at The Crown Hotel, had won his way to the northern finals of the contest. Photo: YPN

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Young Harrogate waitress Sylvia Robinson was serving a meal which could lead to stardom in February 1990. The 19-year-old, who worked at the Majestic Hotel, was competing in the regional finals of the Young Chef and Young Waiter of the Year contest.

8. Harrogate

Young Harrogate waitress Sylvia Robinson was serving a meal which could lead to stardom in February 1990. The 19-year-old, who worked at the Majestic Hotel, was competing in the regional finals of the Young Chef and Young Waiter of the Year contest. Photo: YPN

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This is Megan Dennison, a waitress at Murgatroyd fish and chip restaurant in Yeadon. She was appearing in Aireborough's Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of Ruddigore, a play about a family whose surname Murgatroyd, in January 2009.

9. Leeds

This is Megan Dennison, a waitress at Murgatroyd fish and chip restaurant in Yeadon. She was appearing in Aireborough's Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of Ruddigore, a play about a family whose surname Murgatroyd, in January 2009. Photo: Sarah Washbourn

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The tea room at Mill farm at South Milford won the UK Tea Council Award for the third successive year in April 2009. Pictured is waitress Dawn Walker.

10. South Milford

The tea room at Mill farm at South Milford won the UK Tea Council Award for the third successive year in April 2009. Pictured is waitress Dawn Walker. Photo: James Hardisty

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Waitress Tiff Beeforth at Bothams' Edwardian tea room on Skinner Street in Whitby in July 2009.

11. Whitby

Waitress Tiff Beeforth at Bothams' Edwardian tea room on Skinner Street in Whitby in July 2009. Photo: Gerard Binks

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Waitress Laura Myers in the new restaurant at the newly-renovated Mansion House at Roundhay Park in July 2009.

12. Leeds

Waitress Laura Myers in the new restaurant at the newly-renovated Mansion House at Roundhay Park in July 2009. Photo: Gary Longbottom

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