Sommelier Showdown
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: Five Sails Restaurant, on the fourth floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver.
THE DINNER: Reception with canapés, 4-course dinner, and 9 beautiful wines.
WHEN: Round 1 – February 4, Round 2 – March 3, The Final Showdown – April 1, 2026
$225 per person plus taxes and gratuities
THE SHOWDOWN
The sommelier’s mission is to pair the perfect wine with each of the 4 courses designed by Five Sails Culinary Director Alex Kim. Your mission is to be the judge. Using your smartphone you will vote for whichever 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 showdown on April 1, 2026, where the final winner will be crowned.
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. Five Sails is one of the finest restaurants in Vancouver with gorgeous views overlooking the harbour. Come and meet other food and wine lovers at this exceptional celebration of food and wine.
YOU VOTE
Bring your smartphone so you can vote for the best paired wine with each course. Votes are tallied electronically and the results revealed after each course, culminating in a winner.
Vancouver Dates
Stay tuned for Sommelier Showdown in other cities..
Vancouver
February 4, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Vancouver
March 3, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Vancouver
April 1, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
ABOUT SOMMELIER SHOWDOWN
The Venue
Five Sails
Overlooking Lions Gate bridge and Coal Harbour, Five Sails has been rated one of the top fine dining restaurants in Canada. It is located on the fourth floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1.
The Food
The night begins with a pre-dinner reception, with sparkling wine and canapés. 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 Sarah McCauley DipWSET, CS 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 on April 1, 2026, the winners of the first two events will compete for the crown in the grand finale of the Sommelier Showdown Vancouver.
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.
Vancouver
February 4, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Vancouver
March 3, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Vancouver
April 1, 2026
$225 CAD per person
Plus taxes and gratuities
Stay tuned for Sommelier Showdown in other cities..
