In celebration of the 30th anniversary of BC VQA, CAPS BC and the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) have teamed up to recruit and challenge the best and brightest sommeliers in British Columbia and Alberta to compete in the Chef Meets BC Grape Somm Smackdown Competition.
Sommeliers are invited to test their knowledge of BC’s wine industry in a written and blind tasting challenge taking place in Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary. The top three sommeliers from each city will move on to compete for ‘Best BC Wine Pairing’ in a three course multi-chef collaborative Chef Meets BC Grape Somm Smackdown Dinner!
The winning sommelier from each Smackdown Dinner will culminate in the heart of BC Wine Country to compete in the grand finale Virtual Chef Meets BC Grape Somm Smackdown Dinner in June. The sommelier with the top score will receive the title of Top BC Wine Sommelier 2020 securing a spot in the 4th annual Wine BC BootCamp for an all inclusive 4-day, 3-night educational trip in BC wine country.
Esteemed Chef Meets BC Grape Somm Smackdown Dinner Judges will include: Globe and Mail, Christopher Waters, and CAPS BC President Leslie Brown, Sharon Mclean and Maude Renaud Brisson. Keep checking back as we reveal additional VIP judges in the following weeks.
Media partners include: The Globe and Mail, USA Today, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living Magazine, BC Living.
Chef Meets BC Grape Somm Smackdown
Competition Dates:
Vancouver September 22, 2020 | Host Restaurant Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar | Emcee: DJ Kearney
Calgary September 28, 2020 | Host Restaurant, Teatro | Emcee: Brad Royal
Victoria October 6, 2020 | Host Restaurant, Inn at Laurel Point | Emcee: Neal McLennan, Food & Wine Editor of Vancouver Magazine
VANCOUVER SEMI FINALISTS
LISA WEIZERT
Sommelier Chambar Restaurant
CHRISTINA HARTIGAN
Wine Director, Wildebeest – Gooseneck Hospitality
ANDREW FORSYTH
Sommelier, L’Abattoir Restaurant
Vancouver Judges:
Alexandra Gill, Restaurant Critic, The Globe and Mail
Anthony Gismondi, Wine critic, Gismondi on Wine / Vancouver Sun
Barbara Wild, wine writer, Vitis Magazine
Barbara Philip, Master of Wine, Category Manager for BC Liquor Stores
Iain Philip, Wine writer & educator
Fred Lee, Vancouver Courier
James Nevison, Wine columnist, The Province
Lisa Haley, Sommelier & Manager, St. Lawrence Restaurant & Bar
Joanne Sasvari, Editor / wine & food writer, Vitis, Vancouver Sun
Michaela Morris, Wine writer, Decanter, Meiningers
Neal McLennan, Food & Wine Editor, Vancouver Magazine
Amanda Ross, Freelance writer & contributing editor of Western Living
Shane Taylor, Wine Director, CinCin
Tim Pawsey, Wine & food writer, Hired Belly, Vitis, Quench
Alistair Veen, Sommelier / Owner, Tap Restaurant
JP Potters, Wine Director, Boulevard
Mia Stainsby, Food columnist, Vancouver Sun
Sean Nelson, Sommelier, Hawksworth
Lesley Brown, President of CAPS BC
Mark Taylor, Director of Food and Beverage, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
Cassandra Anderton, Lifestyle Journalist, Broadcaster, and Blogger
Andrew MacLeod, Wine Director, Vine Arts Wine and Spirits
CALGARY SEMI FINALISTS
JEAN TAYLOR
DipWSET, CWS, Store Manager for Calgary Co-op Wine Spirits Beer
DEVIN RIGAUX
Sommelier, Manager at Annabelle’s Kitchen
ALEX CONNE
Sommelier, Assistant Manager at Willow Park Wines & Spirits
In support of:
Calgary Judges:
Karen Ashbee, City Editor, Western Living Magazine
Shelley Boettcher, Journalist, CBC/Calgary Herald/WestJet Magazine
Jenny Book, Wine Educator, Fine Vintage Ltd.
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Freelance food/beverage + travel writer, Calgary Herald, Avenue Mand CBC
Mike Burns, Beverage Director, Teatro Restaurante
Carmen Cheg, @foodkarmablog
Pierre Corriveau, Category Manager – Wines, Sobeys
Andrew MacLeod, Wine Director, Vine Arts
Tom Firth, Wine Writer, Cow Town Wine / Culinaire
Linda Garson, Editor-In-Chief / Publisher, Culinaire Magazine
Nathalie Gosselin, Chief Experience Designer, Vine Styles
Geoff Last, Wine Writer, Calgary Herald
Darren Oleksyn, Wine Columnist Blogger, Calgary Herald
Cam Pinkney, Wine Director, The Guild
Bruce Soley, Wine director /Sommelier for River Cafe
Gwendolyn Richards, Food Travel Lifestyle Writer, Avenue Magazine
VICTORIA SEMI FINALISTS
DANIEL STIEFVATER
Wine List Consultant, Sommelier, WSET Educator, Sales Representative
JOEY SPROUT
Sommelier Swans Boutique Hotel, Bistro and Wine Shop
ADRIANO CARTULIARES
Sommelier, Wine Director, 10 Acres
Victoria Judges:
Ann Brydle, General Manager, Cascadia Liquor Stores
Don Genova, Wine & Food journalist
DJ Kearney, Wine writer, consultant and judge
Cinda Chavich, Food, Wine & Travel Writer, Taste Report
Colin Davidson, Wine Director, Top Table Restaurant
Jason Ripley, Sommelier, The Keg Steakhouse
Jeremy Pott, Regional Operations Manager and Buyer, Cascadia Liquor Stores
Josh Clark, Wine Buyer and Sommelier, Il Terrazzo
Larry Arnold, Senior Wine Editor, EAT Magazine
Lesley Brown, President, Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers
Matt Cooke, Sommelier, Olo Restaurant
Megan Carson, General Manager, The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants
Renée Lauzon, Sommelier, The Courtney Room
Sharon McLean, Wine writer and educator, Eat Magazine
Terry-David Mulligan, Wine and Food broadcaster, Tasting Room Radio
Vincent Vanderheide, Sommelier, Boom & Batten
Okanagan Valley Grand Finale Dinner
October 19 – 21, 2020
For more information please contact Kim Barnes, Marketing Director
Wines of British Columbia quick link study sources:
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Members of the WGBC are proud of their wines and are committed to ensuring their wines are promoted and enjoyed responsibly by those adults who choose to consume them for the continued enjoyment and prosperity of the BC wine industry.
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