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Vocational

DVS AVS Service de la restauration – 5293 | Sommellerie – 5314

ITHQ Signature program

Formation internationale en service et sommellerie

Compare this program

Unfortunately, this program is no longer available.

  • However, our brand new DVS Service de la restauration gastronomique will be offered starting Fall 2024.
  • A new AVS in sommelier training is currently under development and will be offered in Fall 2025. To find out when this program will be available, sign up now for our callback list.

Are you passionate about the world of wine and gastronomy and would you like to make it your profession? This ITHQ exclusive program matches the learning of high-end service techniques of service and the knowledge of the fascinating world of wines and spirits.

Admission

Mid-January to March 1
September 15 to November 1

Course start date

August
January

Duration

21 months full-time (2 105 h)

Format

In-person

Schedule

Full-time

Language of instruction

French

Compulsory internships

Yes

Diploma

Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS)

Overview

From wine and spirit making and tasting to the art of service and customer experience, this comprehensive training course will make you an accomplished sommelier-waiter or waitress well-prepared to work in the finest restaurants.

Key elements of the program

  • ITHQ exclusive combined diploma (DVS in Service de la restauration and ASP in Sommellerie) 
  • Three internship placements, including one in English immersion in Canada and two in France: in a vineyard and in a Michelin-starred or Relais & Châteaux restaurant
  • A week of wine tours in France or Italy 
  • Visits to local producers and artisans 
  • Master classes with wine experts 
  • Action learning in the ITHQ’s restaurants
  • Experienced and passionate instructors

Quench your thirst for knowledge!

What you will learn
Learn to know, learn to do, learn to be

  • Art of proper self-presentation
  • Ability to explain menus and wine lists
  • Professional food, wine and beverages service
  • Manual dexterity, coordination, attention to detail, memory and planning of movements
  • Development of the gustatory and olfactory faculties
  • Manufacturing and preservation of wines and spirits
  • Tasting and sensorial analysis
  • Wine and food pairing

Partners

Program structure and courses

Duration and schedule

  • Program starting in the fall and winter of each year 
  • Spread over 21 months on a full-time basis (4 course sessions and 4 internships)
  • Includes a total of 2 105 hours, including 1 200 hours of coursework and 905 hours of compulsory internships
  • Daytime courses and practical applications in the evening

  • Schedule, dates and course order are subject to change.
  • The ITHQ reserves the right to cancel a course or program if there are insufficient registrations to justify its offering. In such cases, program and registration fees will be refunded in full.

Hands-on experience

Compulsory internships:

  • 4-month paid internship (415 hours) in English immersion, in Canada or abroad
  • 3-month rewarded internship (385 hours) in a high-end establishment (Michelin starred, 4 or 5 star hotel restaurant, Relais & Châteaux, Grandes étapes françaises or other), mainly in France, subject to obtaining the required visa
  • Rewarded internship of approximately 3 weeks (105 h) in a vineyard, mainly in France, subject to obtaining the required visa
  • Participation in a week of wine and gastronomy skills development in France or Italy
  • 3-week unpaid end-of-program internship (110 h) in the Montréal area

    Practical applications:

    • Practical courses at the ITHQ’s restaurants
    • Participation in sommelier competitions and various gastronomic activities
    • 4-week synthesis activity at the ITHQ

      Internships are compulsory to obtain the ITHQ Signature certificate.

      Important information about the internship in France

      • Due to the visa requirements for internships in France, applicants must be between 18 and 35 of age at the time of their internship. If you are over 35 years old, you will have to do your internship in Canada rather than in France. For more information, consult the Procedure for young Canadians under the France-Canada Youth Mobility agreement.
      • International students are responsible for taking the necessary steps to obtain their French visa, if required.
      • Departure for the internship in France:
        • Fall session: departure in January
        • Winter session: departure in May

      Diplomas

      • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) in Service de la restauration from the Ministère de l’Éducation
      • Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) in Sommellerie from the Ministère de l’Education
      • ITHQ Signature certificate in Formation internationale en service et sommellerie de restaurant 
      • Food Handler certification in hygiene and food safety from the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec.
      • Attestation of completion of the Éduc’alcool Action Service program
      • Recognition by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers

      All students are required to follow certain basic rules regarding professional image.

      Admission

      Admission application periods

      Québec and Canadian applicants

      Mid-January to March 1 (course start date in August)

      September 15 to November 1 (course start date in January)

      International applicants

      November 2 to February 1 (course start date in August)

      March 2 to June 1 (course start date in January)

      Admission requirements

      To be eligible for this program, you must:

      • Have a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) or equivalent education, OR
      • Be at least 16 years of age and have successfully completed your Secondary 5 French (or English, if you studied in English), Second Language (English or French, as the case may be) and Mathematics courses, or equivalent education.
      • Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written French: refer to the Required language proficiency page for more details.

      Experience in the restaurant industry is an asset.

      Selection interview

      If your application file is eligible, you will be invited to a selection interview, which will take place either in person or remotely, depending on your place of residence.

      In-person interview dates for Canadian applicants:

      • Fall 2024 session: Thursday, April 4, Friday, April 5 and Monday, April 8, 2024

      Required documents

      • Applicants must meet all of the requirements of their chosen program and provide all required documents. Incomplete or late admission application file will be considered ineligible.
      • In order for your file to be considered complete, be sure to upload legible copies of all official documents required by your status in PDF format.  
      • Documents that are not in French or English must be accompanied by an official translation in French or English.
      • Complete transcripts of university-level studies, including obtained diplomas and certificates, if applicable
      • Work certificates attesting to work experience relevant to the program, if applicable
      • Birth certificate
      • Grades 10, 11 and 12 transcripts
      • Complete transcripts for any subsequent years of study, if applicable
      • Diploma(s) obtained
      • Proof of language proficiency in French (language test result or proof of exemption)
      • Work certificates attesting to work experience relevant to the program, if applicable
      • Birth certificate
      • Canadian citizenship certificate OR permanent resident card
      • Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), if applicable
      • Complete transcripts for the last 3 years of high school (equivalent to grade 9, 10 and 11)
      • Complete transcripts for any subsequent years of study, if applicable
      • Diploma(s) obtained
      • Proof of language proficiency in French (language test result or proof of exemption)
      • Work certificates attesting to work experience relevant to the program, if applicable
      • Birth certificate
      • Complete transcripts for the last 3 years of high school (equivalent to grade 9, 10 and 11)
      • Complete transcripts for any subsequent years of study, if applicable
      • Diploma(s) obtained
      • Proof of language proficiency in French (language test result or proof of exemption)
      • Work certificates attesting to work experience relevant to the program, if applicable

      Costs and financial aid


      Program fees

      Use the program fee calculator to find out about the costs of this program.

      Financial aid and scholarships

      Looking for financial support for your study project? Find out about the different options available to you.  

      Future prospects

      An exciting and rewarding job

      Of all the trades in the restaurant industry, the sommelier-waiter or waitress position is one of the most financially rewarding. And even if money is not your primary motivation, it is still an important factor to consider if you want a lasting career in the field of gastronomy. 

      Info

      service

      Any questions?

      [email protected]
      514-282-5110
      or toll-free at 1-800-361-5111, ext. 5110

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