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A Greek cocktail "mixologist" has beaten thousands of competitors to be crowned Bartender of the Year at a ceremony in London.
After a year-long global competition which saw 6,000 bartenders from 24 countries shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, Aristotelis Papadopoulos claimed the title.
The barman, from Thessaloniki, won the coveted award last night after impressing some of the most recognised names in the drinks world with his cocktail mastery.
He was picked ahead of 18 others following the three-day contest, known as the "liquid Oscars", organised by drinks brand Diageo and hosted by chef Marco Pierre White.
The competition took place across bars and restaurants in London including Fifty, East Rooms and Milk & Honey, as well as the Whole Foods supermarket in Kensington, where competitors picked fresh produce.
The barmen, from as far afield as Venezuela, Korea and the Cayman Islands - as well as Ryan Chetiyawardana from Bramble Bar in Edinburgh - were judged on their selection of cocktails, flair, and how they matched food with drinks.
Mr Papadopoulos, 41, was crowned World Class Bartender of the Year 2009 after the final round at the Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street.
He told the Standard: "It was tough with all the challenges but I am now a barkeeper with recognition. People should give more respect to bartenders because we are always there when people need us. Happiness, sad - every time, all the time."
Mr Papadopoulos, a barman for 25 years, said his favourite cocktail was his own signature drink called Discernment Blue. Made of Johnnie Walker Blue, Greek saffron, fresh mint leaves, lime juice and agave syrup, the cocktail costs 50 euros at his bar Banquet.
Judges included Salvatore Calabrese, from Fifty in St James's, Dale DeGroff, widely acknowledged as the world's premier mixologist, and Gary Regan, a spirit and cocktail expert.
Marco Pierre White said: "The bar is the most important aspect of any hotel or restaurant and it's time that bartenders receive the same acknowledgement as chefs."
