Toronto, ON. The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) -- Canada’s only national, non-profit association that funds educational programs and competitions for the country’s sommelier community -- is pleased to announce the return of its third annual Sommelier Service Competition at the 2023 Restaurants Canada Show (#RCSHOW) held April 10 – 12th at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. Hosted by MC and CAPS Board member, Renee Sferrazza, the Service Competition finals will take place on the main stage on Wine Wednesday, April 12th from 12 pm- 2:30 pm.
The top five sommeliers competing were selected following a preliminary theory exam held at SIPS Toronto, on March 20 th and include Justin Madol of Liberty Entertainment Group, Christophe Reitz of Quatrefoil Restaurant, Dundas, Ontario, Christian Hamel of Pompette, and Pelican Wines, Toronto, Jeffrey Roel of Vela, Toronto, and Nathan Hooper of Liberty Entertainment Group. The finalists will compete live on stage and be judged by top Canadian wine professionals including James Treadwell, José Luis Fernandez and Nabilah Rawji, to win an all-expenses paid luxury trip courtesy of sponsor, Piper-Heidsieck to Champagne, France. all-expenses paid trip to Champagne, France to visit Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck Champagne houses. Visit https://www.rcshow.com/competitions/sommelier-service-competition/.
Heart & hustle… with a side of continuing education
The RC Show 2023 is celebrating the industry with the theme, Heart & Hustle, with compelling new programming designed to help the trade work smarter versus harder. Patrons may discover innovative products and solutions, watching riveting competitions, enjoy networking events and learn from industry thought leaders. CAPS Ontario president, James Peden of Liberty Entertainment Group will teach a Business of Wine Masterclass in Studio Ex for show guests on Wine Wednesday from 11 am – 12 pm. Places are limited to one hundred seats; registration is open at https://www.rcshow.com. As a contributing partner, CAPS Ontario is offering complimentary access to the RC Show for the first 100 members to register; for details visit https://on.sommelierscanada.ca/.
“We’re excited to partner with the 2023 RC Show to bring back the popular Service Competition” explained Mr. Peden. “We opened the registration to the entire province, had a great response to the preliminary exam, and are very proud of the five finalists representing the best in Ontario. We wish them the best in the upcoming competition and encourage the community to come out and support.” He added, “We’d also like to thank gracious partner, Piper-Heidsieck for this year’s spectacular grand prize. We encourage everyone in the community to participate and visit us at the show.”
A toast to the community
CAPS Ontario’s vision is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for wine professionals to continue their education while refining their skills, with the opportunity to taste great wines and showcase their knowledge. Competitors should reflect the diversity of the 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 association’s events enable CAPS Ontario to better connect with its members and advance the sense of industry community within the provincial wine trade and associations.
About RC Show
Canada's Leading foodservice & hospitality event, RC Show 2023 presents a dynamic three-day hybrid event highlighting innovative products, pioneering people, business-building solutions, transformative ideas, and connection opportunities. An annual event not to be missed, more information and tickets are available at https://www.restaurantscanada.org/events.
About CAPS
CAPS is a pan-Canadian association that brings together the sommelier profession, restaurant services and key stakeholders of the hospitality industry. CAPS is comprised of provincial chapters based in Halifax (CAPS Atlantic), Montreal (ACSP Quebec), Toronto (CAPS Ontario), Winnipeg (CAPS Manitoba) and Vancouver (CAPS BC). Passionately dedicated to service, CAPS is committed to building a strong community of sommeliers and fostering the growth of the culture of hospitality in Canada. For more information visit www.sommelierscanada.com and https://on.sommelierscanada.ca/; follow @caps_bc, @ACSP-Quebec @caps_ac and @caps.ontario and tag #CAPS #capsontario #RCSHOW
MEDIA: To attend the RC Show, for more information, visuals or to arrange an interview or broadcast segment with CAPS Ontario president, James Peden and/or a competitor, contact Susan Willemsen, communications Chair at CAPS Ontario and president, The Siren Group Inc. Tel: 416-461-1567 or M: 416-402-4880. Email: susan@thesirengroup.com, www.thesirengroup.com or @thesirengroup.