Sommelier Showdown: New York City
Celebrate the art of food & wine pairing, through the lens of some of the industries finest wine professionals.
THE EVENT: Two leading Sommeliers compete to pair the perfect wine with each course at a decadent 4-course dinner. You vote to pick the winner, who proceeds to the final showdown.
WHERE: Essential by Christophe, 103 W 77th St. New York City
THE DINNER: Reception with amuse bouche, 4-course dinner, and 9 beautiful wines.
WHEN: Round 1 – January 25, Round 2 – February 22, The Final Showdown – March 22, 2027
$325 USD per person plus tax and gratuity
THE SHOWDOWN
The sommelier’s mission is to pair the perfect wine with each of the 4 courses designed by Essential’s Culinary Director Christophe Bellanca. Your mission is to be the judge. After each course, you’ll mark your ballot card with the wine you felt paired best with the dish. The votes will be tallied, culminating in a winner. The winning Sommelier from each of the first two dinners will proceed to the final showdown.
THE DINNER
At 6 pm we begin with a reception of bubbly and amuse bouche. The 4-course dinner will begin at 6.30 p.m. with MC Charles Curtis MW introducing each Sommelier and the Chef. Essential holds a Michelin Star and is celebrated as one of New York City’s finest restaurants. It is renowned for its sophisticated modern French cuisine, exceptional ingredients, and meticulously crafted tasting menus.
New York City Dates
NEW YORK CITY
January 25, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
February 22, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
March 22, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
ABOUT SOMMELIER SHOWDOWN
The Venue
Essential by Christophe
As a cuisinier for over 35 years, Michelin-starred French Chef Christophe Bellanca continues to refine his craft through restraint, precision, and purity of flavor. Essential by Christophe, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, offers a dining experience that celebrates modern French cuisine and thoughtful hospitality.
The Food
The night begins with a pre-dinner reception, with sparkling wine and amuse bouche. A 4-course dinner is then served showcasing the Chef’s talents. We cannot accommodate allergies because everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
The Wine
You will enjoy 9 different wines during the evening. There are two different wines served blind with each course, wine A and B. You pick and vote for your favourite. The wines are revealed after each course and the Sommelier who picked the winning wine explains their choice.
The Format
Doors open at 6 p.m. for a reception. Enjoy some canapés and bubbly while you mingle with other guests. At 6.30 pm you will be seated and MC Charles Curtis MW will introduce the event and the two competing Sommeliers. With each course two wines are served blind. Simply pick the wine that paired best with the dish and vote. Then all will be revealed!
The Finale
At the final event, the winners of the first two events will compete for the crown in the grand finale of the Sommelier Showdown New York City.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All sales are final and non-refundable but you can transfer your booking to someone else for free. Just give us the new names for our reservation list. We cannot accommodate allergies as everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
MEET YOUR sommeliers
Our Sommelier Showdowns feature some of the top sommeliers in New York City. The sommeliers will be announced soon.
NEW YORK CITY
January 25, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
February 22, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
March 22, 2027
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
$325 per person plus taxes and gratuities
