Burhan Matli won the Men’s Classic Tray category at the Ipoh International Waiters Race on Sunday, May 24 for the second time in a row.
The third edition of this annual race, inaugurated in 2013, was held at Ipoh’s premier theme park, the Lost World of Tambun. Some 300 participants, including seven from Medan, Indonesia and six from Japan took part.
The race was divided into three categories namely, Classic Tray (for professionals working in hotels), Supportive Tray (for quick-service waiters, waitresses and students of hospitality institutions) and Fun Tray (for the public).
The participants were required to walk or run a distance of 1.1km around the theme park. Winners were judged on speed and the steadiness of their hands in holding up a tray with two glasses and a bottle of water. The less the spillage the better.
Burhan, 29, of Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur will once again represent Malaysia at the International Waiters Race to be held either in Australia or another foreign land. The exact venue and date, according to Patrick Ong of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Perak chapter), the organisers of the event, have yet to be fixed.
Burhan’s participation will be fully sponsored by Tourism Perak Management Berhad.
Japanese teenager, Nami Yamaucho, 19, took part, all for the love of the lush green and the limestone hills surrounding the Lost World of Tambun.
“There’s quite a buzz on social media regarding the race and the uniqueness of Ipoh’s environment and its food. That’s what motivated me to take part, although the race is something new to me,” said Yamaucho to Ipoh Echo.
Erna Kashnini Jamili from Pullman Hotel, Kuching won the Women’s Classic Tray category while Pirto Hasan of Healy Mac’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Ipoh the Sportive Tray category. The Fun Tray category was won by Burhan, a double of sorts. The winners received cash prizes and a medal each.
Executive Councillor for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin Dato’ Mohammed Radzi, flagged off the participants and gave away the prizes.
RM
