About the Competition

The Chaine des Rotisseurs Alberta Young Sommelier Competition was started in 2018 with our First winner Even Watson coming from Bar Clementine in Edmonton.  That year he took home the championship medal and $1000 in cash.  We had six competitors that first year.

In our second year Kevin Milne of the Chateau Lake Louise took home the first-place hardware which now includes not just the medal but also the Roger Baekeland Memorial Award along with the $1000 cash prize. Kevin had to beat out a field of twelve competitors, double the previous year.

In 2022 with a field of 6 competitors first place went to Julian Simard-Gillis from the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. He went on to compete in Wiesbaden, Germany.

In 2023 we had 3 enthusiastic competitors, and first place went to Marianna Pirhalova from the Guild.

2024 will be a most exciting year! Our regional competition will be held in Calgary on February 24 and March 2. The winning sommelier will then compete in a national competition with candidates from other Canadian Bailliages. The eventual champion will represent Canada in the International event. This will be held in Europe  October, 2024. The dates and venue will be announced in January, 2024.

The Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Sommelier Competition is the only competition in Canada designed specifically to test and develop young Sommeliers and wine professionals. The goal of the competition is to encourage and promote the development of young wine professionals.

Prizes

1st Place

1st place medal
Roger Baekeland Memorial Award
$1000

2nd Place

2nd place medal
$500

3rd Place

3rd place medal
$250

Cost to compete:

$0