KAANAPALI – Deep Island Hawaiian Rum, in partnership with The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, announced that tickets are on sale for the inaugural Rum Scrum Cocktail Contest that benefits the Maui Culinary Academy.

The contest, which is themed to find the quintessential Hawaiian rum cocktail, will take place live on Saturday, July 25, at 5 p.m. (VIP) and 6 p.m. (general admission) at Pulehu, an Italian Grill at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas.

Last month, contestants submitted recipes for the quintessential rum cocktail featuring Deep Island Hawaiian Rum. The pool of contestants has now been narrowed down to four finalists: Jacob Caracheo of Kihei with his Maui-Melon-Jito; James Shoemaker of Paia with his Flower of the Cane; Ka’ai Fong of Kihei with his Sokyrka; and Gabe Harvey of Kihei with his Maika’i.

On July 25, they will face off live at the “Rum Scrum.” Event attendees, along with a panel of judges, will sample the drinks and vote for their favorite quintessential rum cocktail. The winner’s cocktail will be displayed on bar menus at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, and the winner will receive a three-night stay at the resort and $500 cash.

“We are thrilled about the Rum Scrum Cocktail Contest submissions and really believe that Hawaii’s next quintessential rum cocktail is among these four finalists,” said Shay Smith, CEO of Hawaii Sea Spirits, makers of Deep Island Hawaiian Rum. “We look forward to the event on July 25 and encourage rum lovers to come help us name a winner.”

Following the cocktail contest, three local, celebrity chefs – Lyndon Honda of Laulima Events, Greg Gaspar of Black Rock Kitchen and Robert Barrera of Pineapple Grill – will work with teams of students from the Maui Culinary Academy in a culinary scrum to design a distinctive dish featuring Deep Island Hawaiian Rum.

“At The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, we are committed to not only providing guests with local, fresh food and beverage options, but also supporting our community,” said the resort’s director of food & beverage, Brandon Maeda. “This Rum Scrum Cocktail Contest mixes both of these missions to serve up an experience that will be both fun and meaningful.”

Rum Scrum Cocktail Contest general admission and VIP tickets are on sale now for $50 and $65, respectively, at DeepIslandRum.com. In addition, general admission tickets will be available for $65 at the door. For more information, check out @DeepIslandRum and @WestinKorVillas on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.