On Sunday, November 15, the Tommy Bahama Rum VIP Party kicked off the anticipated San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, which runs from November 18 to November 22. The competition was an informal event, where local San Diego chefs put their mixology skills to the test. Below is the award-winning “Mistletoe” martini recipe:

Mistletoe Martini Recipe

1 ounce Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum

½ ounce of Licor 43

½ ounce spiced honey rum syrup (please see separate recipe below)

1 handful of muddled fresh cranberries

Fresh squeezed juice from ½ an orange

Fresh squeezed juice from ½ a lemon

Spiced Honey Rum Syrup Recipe

Equal parts, 1 cup honey and 1 cup boiling water

Dash of pumpkin pie spice

Three judges took part in this competition, including Tommy Bahama Rum’s Pascal Courtin; Kevin Rhodes of the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center; and Anthony Paventi, business development manager for the U.S. Foodservice.

In addition to Scott and Boyle, other competition participants included: Urban Solace’s founding partners Executive Chef Matt Gordon and General Manager, Scott Watkins; Mixologist Jason Jones, who was assisted by Sarah Prudhomme of Sé San Diego; El Vitral Restaurant’s Chef Norma Martinez and Beverage Director and Sommelier, Juan Caldron. The winner received a Tommy Bahama Rum gift basket and a Nambé cocktail shaker.

Owned and operated by the Cohn Restaurant Group and Deborah Scott, the award-winning Island Prime/C Level restaurant combines two great concept restaurants in the same venue. Island Prime (dinner only) is a prime steak and seafood restaurant. C Level (lunch and dinner) offers a more casual menu of creative entrees, sandwiches, salads and fresh seafood dishes. Located right on the San Diego Bay, both restaurants offer some of the best views of downtown San Diego and finest cuisine in the city.

About The Cohn Restaurant Group

Behind each Cohn restaurant’s eclectic, unique atmosphere and award-winning cuisine are two entrepreneurs whose visions have brought San Diego dining to a new level. David and Lesley Cohn opened their first restaurant, The Corvette Diner, in 1986. With the success of this 50’s style diner, they set their sights on the fine dining market. Now, almost 25 years later, the Cohns have successfully established the Cohn Restaurant Group - a family of 12 award-winning restaurants; The Prado, Corvette Diner, Kemo Sabe, Blue Point, Mister Tiki, Indigo Grill, Thee Bungalow, 333 Pacific, Gaslamp Strip Club, Island Prime & C Level, and Pineapple Grill located in Kapalua, Maui. David and Lesley take pride in the fact that their company is family-owned and operated and will keep the Cohn Restaurant Group tradition alive with the help of their daughter, Jessica and son, Jeremy. For more information please visit www.dinecrg.com

“Being named Restaurateur of the Year is truly a landmark achievement,” said David Cohn, founder and president of the Cohn Restaurant Group. “It is an honor to be recognized by the GQA, as the Gaslamp Quarter is a San Diego neighborhood that is truly a unique destination for locals and visitors alike. For nearly 25 years, we have worked to create the finest hospitality atmosphere in each of our restaurants.”

Family-owned and operated, the Cohn Restaurant Group has always aimed to take dining to a new level. Beginning with one small diner, the Cohn Restaurant Group now owns and operates 11 restaurants within the San Diego area and a 12th restaurant in Kapalua, Maui. The Cohn Restaurant Group has three restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter — Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, Gaslamp Strip Club and Mister Tiki.

The Lamplighter Awards recognize merchants and individuals that are leaders in their community and have made a positive impact for the Gaslamp Quarter through their exceptional service, high-quality products and enthusiastic concern for the historic district. The “Best Of” awards are determined from an open (public) nomination and are voted on by GQA business owners and operators.

About The Lamplighter Award

The Lamplighter Awards recognize merchants and individuals that are leaders in their community and have made a positive impact for the Gaslamp Quarter through their exceptional service, high-quality products and enthusiastic concern for the historic district. The Lamplighter Awards are nominated and voted on by the Gaslamp Quarter Association’s Board of Directors.

About The Cohn Restaurant Group

Behind each Cohn restaurant’s eclectic, unique atmosphere and award-winning cuisine are two entrepreneurs whose vision has brought San Diego dining to a new level. David and Lesley Cohn opened their first restaurant, The Corvette Diner, in 1986. With the success of this 50’s style diner, they set their sights on the fine dining market. Now, almost 25 years later, the Cohn’s have successfully established the Cohn Restaurant Group - a family of 12 award-winning restaurants; The Prado, Corvette Diner, Kemo Sabe, Blue Point, Mister Tiki, Indigo Grill, Thee Bungalow, 333 Pacific, Gaslamp Strip Club, Island Prime & C Level, and Pineapple Grill located in Kapalua, Maui. David and Lesley take pride that their company is family-owned and operated and will keep the Cohn Restaurant Group tradition alive with the help of their daughter, Jessica and son, Jeremy. For more information please visit www.dinecrg.com.