A celebration of excellence in wine and hospitality, #BOSC2024 kicks off regional program of activity and provincial fundraiser gala to be held November 12th at Liberty Grand in Toronto
The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) has officially announced the highly anticipated return of the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC), the province’s largest and most diverse wine and food event of its kind. Scheduled for Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in Toronto, BOSC promises an exhilarating experience for oenophiles, sommeliers, and enthusiasts from the food, wine, and hospitality industries.
As an official media partner, VineRoutes is proud to collaborate with CAPS Ontario to provide comprehensive coverage of this prestigious event. “Our partnership underscores our commitment to promoting the art of wine and the exceptional talent within the sommelier community,” said Carmelo Giardina, brand principal for VineRoutes Media.
The competition: showcasing Ontario’s finest sommeliers
BOSC challenges the province’s best sommeliers through a series of professional skill-testing scenarios, including blind tastings and service components. Competitors will be evaluated on their knowledge, skills, and ability to identify and describe wines, showcasing their expertise in a high-pressure environment.
The four finalists of the 2022 edition of BOSC.
The call for industry entries is now open, inviting sommeliers from across Ontario to compete. Additionally, sponsorship and in-kind donations for all events are being accepted, further enriching the competition experience. Tickets for the gala, tasting, and dinner will be available in September, with prices set at $150 for members, $175 for non-members, and $1,200 for tables of 10.
Road to the finals: CAPS Cup 2024 and preliminary competitions
This year, the CAPS Ontario Board will host four live, regional CAPS Cup 2024 tasting events on August 13th in Ottawa, Niagara, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto. Competitors will donate $40 to participate, with all funds supporting scholarships for hospitality students, enhancing their careers in the wine industry. These events offer a valuable opportunity for sommeliers to refine their skills in a supportive environment.
Following the CAPS Cup, four preliminary BOSC competitions will take place in September, focusing on knowledge, skills, and blind tastings. The top five competitors from these preliminaries will advance to the provincial finals in Toronto on November 12th. The winner will then represent Ontario at the national Best Canadian Sommelier Competition (BCSC).
A celebration of community and excellence
“BOSC is our occasion to offer wine professionals across the province an opportunity to refine their sommelier skills through tasting and testing their knowledge in a live, competitive situation,” said James Peden, CAPS Ontario president and director of operations at Liberty Entertainment Group. The gala is a highlight for the hospitality community, featuring dinner, wine tastings, auctions, and a convivial atmosphere, all to raise funds for ongoing industry education.
Heather McDougall, CAPS Ontario Board member and owner of SIPS Toronto, emphasized the inclusive nature of the events, encouraging sommeliers of all levels to participate and support the industry. “We encourage sommeliers interested in competition or those who are simply curious to experience an exam setting, to participate.”
The preliminary competitions will feature a flight of prestigious wines, carefully selected to represent the terroir of world-class varietals, both local and international. An active call for wine donations has gone out to the industry, ensuring a diverse and high-quality tasting experience for competitors and attendees alike.
Join us at BOSC 2024
The BOSC 2024 competition event at Liberty Grand is not only a showcase of sommelier excellence but also a crucial fundraiser for CAPS Ontario. The organization funds educational programs and competitions that support the sommelier community in Ontario. As a licensed event, all participants and attendees must be 19 years of age or older. Tickets and tables will be available for purchase in September at CAPS Ontario.
Stay tuned to VineRoutes for exclusive coverage and updates on this exciting event.
