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CAPS Ontario announces four finalists for Best Ontario Sommelier Competition 2024

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TORONTO, October 21, 2024 – The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) announces the four regional sommeliers who have been selected to compete in the finals of the province’s largest and most diverse wine and food event of its kind, the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) , scheduled for November 12th at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex  in Toronto.

CAPS is Canada’s only national, non-profit association that funds educational programs and competitions for the country’s sommelier community. Their #BOSC24 competition challenges sommeliers in a series of skill-testing scenarios, including blind tasting and service components, and is a must-attend event for oenophiles, the sommelier community and the food, wine and hospitality industries. 

Simultaneous preliminary exams were held on October 8th at noon at venue sponsors, Treadwell Cuisine in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the Vintage Conservatory on King St. In Toronto, as well as in Greve, Chianti, Italy.

The top four scoring semi-finalists are :

Christian Perreault Hamel, Wine Director, Harbour Sixty Toronto, Co-founder, Pelican Wines Import

Christophe Reitz, Sommelier, Quatrefoil Restaurant, Dundas

Matthew Landry, Sommelier, Restaurant Pearl Morrisette, Niagara, Founder, Tannin Management

Junxing (James) Li, Restaurant Manager and Lead Sommelier, Enigma Yorkville, Toronto

The entry fee was a $40 donation to CAPS – as a non-profit organization – to sponsor the wine education of an aspiring sommelier requiring financial assistance. All competitors are CAPS Ontario members in good standing and currently working in the industry; the four sommeliers compete next in Toronto on November 12, with the BOSC 2024 grand prize winner going on to represent the province at the Best Canadian Sommelier Competition (BCSC). 

In the company of champions…

The celebrated judging panel at BOSC 2024 will include José Luis Fernández, former winner of BOSC 2019, Pier-Alexis Soulière, MS, Best Sommelier Canada, 2021, and SOMM Factory wine educator, Nabilah Rawji. Beverly Crandon, sommelier, founder of Spring into Spice event and Board member at Vinequity, will MC the event. Tickets and tables for the BOSC fundraiser event on November 12th are on sale now; more information and tickets are available at https://on.sommelierscanada.ca/

“We are immensely proud of the four finalists, who will go on to compete to represent the best in the province,’’ said Jennifer Wood, sommelier, Corkscrew Imports, and 2024-2025 acting president, CAPS Ontario. “It is our ongoing goal to provide a safe and nurturing environment for wine professionals to continue their education while refining their skills, by offering the opportunity to taste great wines and showcase their knowledge,” she added. We are excited about the gala in November and anticipate an intense, high level competition for the finals. It’s sure to be a must-attend for anyone who knows or loves, wine and the hospitality industry,” Ms. Wood said.

A toast to the community

Competitors in BOSC 2024 reflect the diverse spectrum of wine community in the province and include students representing the wine education spectrum of Court of Master Sommeliers, CAPS and WSET certified professionals. Facilitated by dedicated CAPS Ontario Board volunteers and sponsors, the events enable CAPS Ontario to better connect with its members and advance the sense of industry community within the provincial wine trade and associations. CAPS is sponsoring six Vinequity members through its membership and fundraising; funds raised from entry donations sponsors wine professionals requiring financial assistance and scholarships to further their careers. BOSC 2024 sponsorship and prize donor opportunities are still open for participation.

The BOSC 2024 final fundraiser event on November 12th at Liberty Grand in Toronto is a licensed event; attendees and participants must be 19 years of age. For more information, visit https://on.sommelierscanada.ca/.

Other articles from totimes.ca – mtltimes.ca – otttimes.ca

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