A RESTAURANT is dreaming of scooping a historic hat-trick as the Soho Village Fête returns this weekend.

The Dean Street Townhouse has won the Soho Waiters’ Race for the past two years. Participants have to navigate the streets of Soho balancing a tray with a bottle of champagne, a glass and an ashtray.

Three wins on the trot has never been done before and the popular hotel and restaurant is hoping to make a piece of Soho history at the race that starts at 3pm.

The race is considered the main event of the annual summer fun festival, organised by the Soho Society, that boasts an eclectic mix of attractions and bohemian Sohoites.

There will be drag queens, snail racing, a dog show, human fruit machine, a spaghetti-eating contest and tug of war between Soho’s police and the firefighters.

Add in six hours of live music and entertainment, plus a raffle, with prizes donated by Soho hotels and restaurants.

The fête, which originated more than 70 years ago and was reborn in the 1970s as a traditional village fête in the heart of the capital is a firm fixture in the calendar for local residents

The waiters, bartenders and baristas will go under starter’s orders from 3pm, outside The French House pub in Dean Street. They have been in intense training to win the trophy and £100 cash prize.

Dating back to the 1950s, the route goes up Dean Street, around Soho Square and back down Frith Street, tracking across Romilly Street and back to the French.

The rules are strict and competition fierce. Waiters must navigate the streets, without dropping their champagne or glass, or holding on. The race has 100 volunteer marshals who watch for rule breakers.

Soho police will be looking to restore some pride after losing to the firefighters in the tug of war for the last two years.

There is also tea with the vicar of St Anne’s Church, splat the rat and a bar run by the French House pub, along with stalls from Soho businesses and community groups including Soho Parish School.

The six hours of live stage entertainment is rounded off with a drag queen finale. All for free!

Sponsors include The Crown Estate, Shaftesbury Capital PLC, Soho House, Broadwick Soho Hotel, Co-op, Westminster City Council, Rotary Club UK, Soho Housing Association, and Pastaio Carnaby.

Soho Village Fête: Sunday, July 16, St Anne’s Gardens, Wardour Street, W1

12pm Fête Opens

12.30pm Spaghetti Eating Competition

1pm The Soho Dog Show

2pm The Tug of War – Soho Police vs Soho Fire Station

3pm The Soho Waiters’ Race (starts Outside The French House, Dean Street)

4.45pm The Raffle Draw

5.15pm Headliners: The Red Stripe Band

5.45pm The Drag Queen Finale

6pm Fête Closes

• Live Music, French House and Aperol Bar, Stalls and Activities All Afternoon