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

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

Vancouver

March 3, 2026


$225 CAD per person

Plus taxes and gratuities

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

Vancouver

April 1, 2026


$225 CAD per person

Plus taxes and gratuities

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

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.

 

MEET YOUR sommeliers

Our Sommelier Showdowns feature some of the top sommeliers in Vancouver.

An image of Christina Hartigan

VANCOUVER – ROUND 1

CHRISTINA HARTIGAN


Wine Director at The Stable House Group

MEET CHRISTINA

Christina Hartigan is a wine educator and sommelier in Vancouver. She is the Wine Director for the Stable House Group, a WSET instructor & a facilitator of the BC Wine Ambassador Program. A chance opportunity to work in the vineyards during harvest in Burgundy sparked her passion for wine and this inspired her to pursue a career in hospitality and wine. Christina is a CMS Advanced Sommelier, has completed the WSET Diploma and the French & the Spanish Wine Scholar programs. She was named Vancouver Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year in 2022.

An image of Jayton Paul

VANCOUVER – ROUND 1

JAYTON PAUL


Best Sommelier of British Columbia (2022)

MEET JAYTON

Jayton Paul is a nationally recognized sommelier celebrated for his expertise and leadership in the Canadian wine industry. He earned the titles of Best Sommelier of British Columbia (CAPS) 2022 and Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2022, and was the inaugural recipient of the Michelin Guide Vancouver Sommelier Award. As former Wine Director at the one-Michelin-starred restaurant that was named #1 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2022 and more recently ranked #28 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Jayton helped shape one of the country’s most acclaimed wine programs. A BC Wine Ambassador certified by Wine Growers British Columbia, he continues to champion local wine and education. A competitor in the 2023 Best Sommelier of Canada (CAPS) competition, and a Certified Sommelier (CMS) and DipWSET candidate, Jayton pairs technical expertise with an approachable, engaging style that makes wine both accessible and exciting for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

An image of Andrew Forsyth

VANCOUVER – ROUND 2

ANDREW FORSYTH


Wine Director at Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie

MEET ANDREW

Andrew started his wine journey when he was enrolled in WSET Level 2 while managing at The Keg Steakhouse and Bar.  Originally a History and English Literature Major at Simon Fraser University, he was instantly hooked – loving the opportunity to be a student again while creating experiences through wine. Following his completion of his Introductory and Certified levels with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Andrew moved on to work at Chef Lee Cooper’s L’Abattoir in Gastown. Over his six year tenure he moved from being a Server, to Head Sommelier all while receiving three consecutive Platinum Wine Program Awards from the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Two Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine, and winning the 2025 CAPS BC Sommelier of the Year Award. In late 2025 Andrew decided to move on from his post to accept the position of Wine Director at Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie.

An image of Noel Hollett

VANCOUVER – ROUND 2

NOEL HOLLETT


Assistant Wine Director & Restaurant Manager at Elisa Steakhouse

MEET NOEL

Noel has been a part of the local Hospitality scene for well over a decade. Starting his passion for wine at The Village Liquor Store in West Vancouver and progressing through his WSET Certifications, as well as Certified Specialist of Spirits, he then made the move to restaurant service in 2017, joining The Vancouver Club and working as Sommelier. Now for the past 3 years as Assistant Wine Director at Elisa Steakhouse, Noel can be found pulling corks and speaking to the acclaimed wine program with enthusiasm – eager to pour established classics, as well as exciting new gems.

Vancouver

February 4, 2026


$225 CAD per person

Plus taxes and gratuities

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

Vancouver

March 3, 2026


$225 CAD per person

Plus taxes and gratuities

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

Vancouver

April 1, 2026


$225 CAD per person

Plus taxes and gratuities

Buy your ticket

About the sommeliers

Stay tuned for Sommelier Showdown in other cities..

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