Help a St Neots man to be crowned a cocktail star in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s competition

He may be mixing it up in Melbourne right now, but a St Neots man is vying for your votes in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s cocktail making competition.

Former Longsands School pupil Niko Zoylinos – also known as Nik the Greek – is hoping to make his name as a barman through the Drinks Tube contest, where he is down to the final five.

Viewers can watch Nik’s short cocktail making demonstration, before casting a vote, helping him beat talent from all around the globe to be named a cocktail star.

The 21-year-old, who grew up on Longsands Road, is now working full-time at a prestigious bar in the Australian city, after a stint in France last year, and at pubs including the Ye Olde Sun on Huntingdon Street in St Neots and Baroosh in Cambridge.

He said: “You meet all sorts of people and talk through the night. Sometimes they’re happy, sometimes they’re sad. Most people come out to celebrate, some people are curious, and you never know who will come through that big brown door.

“I only considered the slim chance of winning when I found out I was in the final five. I was so nervous and excited like anyone when they find out some great news when they’ve been working hard.

“It wasn’t my childhood dream to be a professional bartender, I wanted to be a cowboy. I’d still give up bartending to become a cowboy, but for now I’m loving what I’m doing and I suppose I could just wear a hat behind the bar.”

INFORMATION: To vote for Niko by the deadline of 3pm on Tuesday (October 8), go to www.jamieoliver.com/drinks-tube/win/.