The seventh annual Somms Under Fire is the country’s preeminent live sommelier wine and food pairing competition. Three of the best wine professionals in the country will match wines with dishes prepared by the executive chef of The Carillon restaurant in front of a panel of expert judges. The audience tastes the wine and food pairings right along with the judges. The event is known for highlighting the featured sommseliers’ skill, craft food pairing skills by combining their incredible knowledge and expertise in a live, spectator-friendly format.

The sommeliers are competing for a Grand Prize of a one-week Internship in Burgundy, France, compliments of Becky Wasserman & Co and a $2,000 travel grant provided by the TEXSOM Foundation. Champagne Taittinger will host a day visit to the famed Champagne house for the winning sommelier. The Fan Favorite winner will receive attend the Taste Washington Grand Tasting held March 24-25, 2018in Seattle, WA, sponsored by Washington State Wine.

The event takes place on Sunday, January 28, 2018 with a VIP seminar starting at 5pm, featuring a guided tasting of Washington State Wines. At 6:00 pm, the Somms Under Fire Cocktail Challenge begins followed by the wine and food pairing competition at 7pm

The event takes place at the Zlotnik Family Ballroom in Rowling Hall at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin. VIP tickets are Sold Out, but General Admission tickets are $75, and are available athttp://keepercollection.bigcartel.com/products.