Diageo names UK's best bartender

Diageo's search to find the UK's best bartender has ended with Erik Lorincz of the Connaught Hotel in London being named the winner.

Lorincz and 13 other finalists competed in a day-long trial at the World Class 2010 competition that consisted of bartending knowledge tests, mixology and an innovation challenge where they had to create a drink using surprise ingredients.

He won the final heat with a Tanqueray gin cocktail called Rising to the Sky, which was tested by a panel of judges.

Television presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace were on the panel, along with several other judges including Diageo Reserve's head of brand ambassador Barrie Wilson and Simon Difford, author of cocktail publication Diffordsguide and editor of Class magazine.

Lorincz will continue to compete in the World Class Global Final this months in Athens.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "This was far and away the most challenging and nerve-wracking competition that I've ever been in and I'm absolutely thrilled to have won.

"I was up against the best bartenders in the country and performing in front of judges of this calibre has been the highlight of my career so far.

Diageo Reserve Brands launched the competition to recognise outstanding bartenders in the UK.