The Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race is absolutely one of the most entertaining events of the week! Come show your support for our local Newburyport & Plum Island restaurants and cheer for your favorite waiters and waitresses at the 2023 Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race. On Monday, July 31st, 2023 at 4:30 pm on Liberty Street local waitstaff will race down the street carrying full trays to compete for an honorary title and cash prizes. Check out Newburyport VIP YouTube videos below and visit NewburyportVIP on Instagram for totally different versions of our Waiter & Waitress coverage.

Waiter and Waitress Race Winners 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 overall restaurant winner voted to have the most spirit, Sea Level Oyster Bar! Amazing job by all of the racers. Below were the 2023 individual race winners.

1^st  Anchor Pizza – Leanne Paparella (4th time with 1st place)
1^st  Sea Level Oyster Bar – Taylor Donovan

2^nd  Port Tavern – Ruby Coppinger
2^nd  Sea Level Oyster Bar –  Adam Michaud

The Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race, created to showcase our amazing local restaurants and shine the spotlight on our favorite waiters and waitresses who consistently create memorable dining experiences. The lineup of restaurants is guaranteed to be impress and the 2023 judges are excited to recognize the winning restaurant and top waiters and waitresses! The Yankee Homecoming Committee is delighted to announce the 2023 VIP celebrity judges: Newburyport Mayor, Sean Reardon, Ms. Northshore: Courtney Fucaloro, and Amy Traverso Food Editor at Yankee Magazine, Co-Host of WGBH’s Weekends with Yankee & Cookbook author.

The Waiter & Waitress Races are  for local restaurants to showcase their menus and specials and drive Yankee Homecoming crowds in for a meal. It’s advertising at no cost to the restaurants. In fact, participating restaurants are encouraged to display their menu and any Yankee Homecoming specials or promotions, on a board at the finish line.

All Newburyport and Plum Island waiters and waitresses, eighteen years and older, are welcome to compete in the Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race. Not in the industry? Come by to cheer on your favorite waitstaff as they walk/run from Fair Street down Liberty Street carrying trays piled high with full glasses! The top female waitresses and top male waiters to cross the finish line first with dry trays will move on to the final challenge, yet another diner dash, but with the addition of obstacles.

The male and female winners will each earn very substantial tips: 1st place $450, and 2nd place, $200. The top restaurant with the best overall performance/spirit will earn the traveling trophy, as well as bragging rights as the fastest staff in town, until the following year.

Thinking about entering the race? Brush up on the rules and register here. Only waitstaff from local Newburyport and Plum Island restaurants may compete. Registration fees are waived this year for the Yankee Homecoming Waiter and Waitress Race.

PRIOR YEAR NewburyportVIP Coverage

Congratulations to all of our amazing local restaurants and thank you to all who have participated! Enjoy prior year NewburyportVIP videos and see winners lists below.

Waiter and Waitress Race Winners 2022

Congratulations to the 2022 overall restaurant winner voted to have the most spirit, Plum Island Beachcoma! Amazing job by all of the racers. Below were the 2022 individual race winners.

1^st  Anchor Pizza – Leanne Paparella (3rd time with 1st place)
1^st  Oregano – Gabriel Sambataro

2^nd  Port Tavern – Olivia Coppinger
2^nd  Carmine’s –  JD Horne

2021 Overall Restaurant Winner – Brick & Ash

2021 Waiter & Waitress Winners:
1^st Anchor – Leanne Paparella
1^st Bar 25 – Joey Nickerson

2^nd Michael’s – Erin Leary
2^nd Bar 25 –  Andrew Vignati

3^rd Poynt – Cassie Harding
3^rd Michael’s – Chase Pantelis

2019 Overall Restaurant Winner – Anchor Pizza

2019 Waiter & Waitress Winners:
1^st Anchor – Leanne Paparella
1^st Bob Lobster – Sam Fitzpatrick

2^nd Sea Level – Margaux Munick
2^nd Poynt – Chad Flinkman

2019 Yankee Homecoming Waiter & Waitress Video – Newburyport VIP

Check out 2019 Newburyport.com videos of Sea Level Oyster Bar and Oregano Ristorante waitstaff practicing for the big event! 

This 2019 Sea Level video features Madeline Walsh (left) and Margaux Munick (right). 

This 2019 Oregano’s video below features Gabriel Sambataro (left) and Lindsey Howland (right).