The waiters’ race

DEAN Street Townhouse waiter Endri finished first in the annual Soho Waiters’ Race – for the third time.

The human fruit machine, a fête tradition

He won in comprehensive style – a hat trick after wins in 2021, 2022 and, after a break in 2023, coming first this year.

The race has been a tradition at The Soho Village Fête since the 1950s where Soho waiters balance a bottle of prosecco, glass and ashtray on a waiter’s tray in a route which sees them race up Dean Street, around Soho Square, back down Frith Street and looping round Romilly Street to finish back at at The French House.

Soho Police and Soho Firemen – the two teams in the tug-of-war challenge which ended in a draw

The race is organised by Takashi O’Rourke who also monitors the waiters – one of dozens of volunteers at the Soho Society’s annual fête in St Anne’s Gardens that was opened by a “mini mayor” from Soho Parish School.

Ebonknee and Minnie Diamond – drag queens sang ‘Soho, Soho’ to the tune of New York, New York at the fête finale

Other popular events included a snail race, featuring 24 snails, a dog show and the annual tug-of-war between Soho Police and Fire Station. This year’s event saw the first draw between the emergency workers.

Vicar of St Anne’s the Revd Simon Buckley with a four-legged friend

Traditional events included the Spaghetti Eating Competition with prizes for the messiest and fastest eater, the human fruit machine as well as six hours of live entertainment including a Drag Queen finale of singing “Soho, Soho” to the tune of New York, New York.

Young entertainment at a snail’s pace

This year the fête had a French twist in celebration of Lesley Lewis’s 35 years as French House bar landlady.