The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee bartender king of cocktails
Mixologist Dimi voted best in world after beating 45 others from around the globe
A Dundee man has won a global competition to find the world’s best bartender.
Dimi Savvaidis from the King of Islington on Union Street, is the first ever UK winner of the biennial Global Monin Cup, which is open to contenders under the age of 28.
Dimi, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, was competing against more than 40 bartenders from across the globe for the coveted trophy.
The three-day competition in Paris culminated in the bartenders being given a “mystery box” of ingredients, from which they had to create and name a new cocktail.
Dimi, who secured his place in the competition after winning the UK regional final in September, created a tequila-based cocktail called Three Nights in Paris to land the top prize.
Olivier Monin, president of Monin, said: “We’re really proud that the Monin Cup acknowledges and rewards this talent and to have entries from 46 countries is amazing.”
Judge and award-winning bartender Alex Kratena said: “The standard of drinks we were served was unprecedented, but Dimi’s creation really stood out, offering balanced flavours, great taste and elegant presentation.”
Dimi began bartending in Greece 10 years ago but it was while he was living in Australia that he decided he wanted to dedicate his life to mixology, the art of making cocktails.
He said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed to be named Global Monin Cup winner 2018. It took a while for the news that I was the UK winner to sink in, but to be named global winner having competed against 45 of the best bartenders from around the globe is a really proud day for me.”
Dimi said the three most important aspects of any cocktail are how it looks, its aroma and its taste. He does not have a personal favourite and tries to match the right cocktail with his customers’ moods.