Photo finish for the Soho waiters

PROSECCO flooded the streets of Soho yesterday as local waiters pounded the pavements in the Waiters Race, a highlight of the annual Soho Village Fête. The challenge: to complete a circuit of Soho’s streets while bearing a tray with a bottle of fizz, a champagne flute and an ashtray.

Within seconds of the starting gun glass was smashing and bubbles flowing, as Dean Street Townhouse, Pizza Pilgrims and The French House waiters and waitresesses sprinted off. There were gasps as Ludovic Hughes, actor and waiter at Andrew Edmunds in Lexington Street, and Aaron Benito of Frith Street Japanese restaurant Chotto Matte, legged it down Old Compton Street in a dead heat.

A final spurt from Benito appeared to put him across the line first, albeit at the expense of his

WHILE most of the UK press is tiring of constant coverage of the Greek crisis, surely the Financial Times must be the one paper to pity. Hacks arrived at work today to find a themed canteen lunch: a “classic Greek bar”. Delicacies include stuffed vine leaves and lamb koftes. Much like Hotel California, you can check out of Greek coverage any time you like, but you can never leave. prosecco, quietly retrieved by The Londoner in the resulting furore. But careful inspection of the photo finale ultimately awarded Hughes the top prize — five meals for two at local restaurants.

If you’re looking for a dinner companion, Ludo...