Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale leave Artesian

The duo behind the award-winning Artesian at the Langham have left the bar to pursue a new venture.

Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale, who worked at the bar for eight and five years respectively, plan to start three different drinks projects together.

They will include a multi-disciplinary concept to create the drinks of the future, which will also see them open their own London bar in 2017.

In addition they will form a not-for-profit organisation that will work to improve the drinks industry.

The pair both handed in their notice on 8 October, just before being awarded the title of World's Best Bar for the fourth year running by Drinks International.

A further nine members of their bar team immediately decided to follow in their footstep and resigned when they heard the news. The Langham was unable to confirm this.

Duncan Palmer, managing director for the Langham London, said: "After much success and international acclaim, we can confirm that Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale have taken the decision to move on from the Langham London.

"We thank them for their contribution in firmly establishing Artesian and the Langham London as one of the most iconic and innovative destinations internationally, especially further to attaining the World's Best Bar award by Drinks International for the fourth consecutive year.

"They have trained a vibrant and passionate team who will continue their success and who have become the future stars of the bar and restaurant industry under their tutelage. They have established a great legacy, and we look forward to the next phase of Artesian's success and to making a further exciting announcement related to the social element at the Langham London in due course"

Kratena and Caporale were well regarded for their avant garde cocktails, which were served in a variety of vessels. This included golden pineapples billowing with smoke and china cups set on fire. In July, they launched a new drinks list inspired by Surrealism, with cocktails served in giant ants and Lego elephants.

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