“It’s slowly sinking in that I’ve won this prestigious title from CAPS,” said Mr. Perreault Hamel. “I’ve spent so much time looking up to past winners, seeing where they are now, and feeling inspired by their journeys. It reminds me of the importance of paying it forward — supporting others, just as these seasoned professionals have supported me — and I look forward to extending that same encouragement to our local sommelier community.”

The competition was fierce! Matthew Landry, sommelier at Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Niagara, took second place, followed by Junxing (James) Li, restaurant manager and lead sommelier at Enigma Yorkville in Toronto, in third. Christophe Reitz, another talented sommelier, rounded out the top four.

A panel of expert judges—including 2019 BOSC winner José Luis Fernández, 2021 Best Sommelier of Canada Pier-Alexis Soulière, MS, and SOMM Factory wine educator Nabilah Rawji—oversaw the competition. The event was hosted by CAPS Ontario Acting President Jennifer Wood, who kept the energy high and the crowd engaged.

“For me, the competition is less about the title itself and more about showcasing the dedication, preparation, and passion we bring to our craft. The competition is about performing in front of an audience, allowing them to see the precision behind table-side service, the challenges we navigate in real-time, and the skill involved in blind tasting. My hope is that through this, more people will gain a deeper appreciation for what we do and feel inspired to engage with their sommelier the next time they dine out.”

The event wasn’t just about the competition—it was a celebration for wine lovers, sommeliers, and industry professionals alike. Presented by the Sake Institute of Ontario, the sold-out gala included some exciting challenges for the competitors: blind tastings, theory tests, and service demonstrations in front of a live audience. It was a night of celebration and camaraderie, bringing together the sommelier community and wine enthusiasts.

Guests enjoyed educational tastings, a premium sake masterclass led by renowned Sake Samurai Michael Tremblay, and incredible pouring stations hosted by Nicholas Pearce Wines, Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits and SIO that featured a premium selection of wines and sakes. The culinary team of Executive Chefs Eugene Na and Sean Blomeley from Liberty Entertainment Group’s Blue Bovine Steak and Sushi House wowed everyone with their sushi and beef creations, perfectly paired with select sakes.

The event also raised funds to support CAPS programs and the sommelier community through a silent auction featuring rare wines, premium stemware, educational courses, and more. Generous contributions from sponsors like Academie du Vin, Zalto Glassware, and Thomas Bachelder helped make this a night to remember.

“We congratulate Christian on his win and applaud the outstanding performance shown by all four competitors which kept the sold-out crowd enthralled throughout the day,” said Ms. Wood. “The finalists represent the best in the province, and it was a close competition. CAPS is proud to support the industry and gratefully thank our partners, the Sake Institute of Ontario and Liberty Entertainment Group, along with our other sponsors, donors, volunteers, friends and Board members—all without whom we could never raise the important funds needed to continue our programs. Cheers to everyone!”

Stay tuned for the next #BOSC competition in 2026.