Sommelier Showdown: Ottawa
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: Raphael Peruvian Cuisine, 200 Elgin St. Ottawa
THE DINNER: Reception with canapés,4-course dinner, and 9 beautiful wines.
WHEN: Round 1 – February 22, Round 2 – March 15, The Final Showdown – April 12, 2027
$250 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 Rapheals Culinary Director and Owner Lizardo Becerra. 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 canapés. The 4-course dinner will begin at 6.30 p.m. with introductions to each Sommelier and the Chef. Rapheal Peruvian is a rising culinary star in Ottawa, already featured in numerous publications and recognized as one of the city’s finest restaurants. Come and meet other food and wine lovers at this exceptional celebration of food and wine.
YOU VOTE
Ballot cards are collected and tallied, and the results revealed after each course, culminating in a winner.
Ottawa Dates
Ottawa
February 22, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Ottawa
March 15, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Ottawa
April 12, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
ABOUT SOMMELIER SHOWDOWN
The Venue
Raphael Peruvian Cuisine
Located right in the heart of Ottawa, Raphael Peruvian Cuisine is one of the top addresses in Canada for South American Flavors. It is located at 200 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L5, Canada.
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 introduced to 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 Ottawa.
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
Currently a Master Sommelier candidate with over 20 years of experience as a professional sommelier. His dedication to the craft, combined with a true passion for sharing the stories behind each wine, has led him to working all over Canada; from B.C., Alberta, to Ontario and his native Québec. Not limited by geography or varietal, Connor excels in understanding and speaking on topics concerning the wine market worldwide.
He has a reputation for creating unique, tailored wine experiences, has led large teams and run diverse wine programs with creativity and flair. He currently operates his own independent Wine School, while also working as a consultant.
Project management consultant by day, Sommelier by night (and sometimes on weekends), Ottawa native Etienne Martin is excited to bring his passion for food and wine to the Sommelier Showdown!
Since completing a study abroad program in the Champagne region and following it up with the WSET Level 2 certification in Wines & Spirits, wine education has become somewhat of an obsession for Etienne, culminating in the completion of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines in 2025.
This led to Etienne joining the team at Trio Bistro & Lounge in Westboro, where he manages the wine menu, helps train staff, and holds regular themed tasting events as the restaurant’s Sommelier. He has also been continuing his learning journey, earning specialized Wine Scholar Guild certifications in French, Spanish, and German wines.
Etienne believes that there is a wine out there for every person and every occasion – half the fun is the journey to finding it.
Ottawa
February 22, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Ottawa
March 15, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Ottawa
April 12, 2027
$250 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
