Liz Edwards fell in love with La Jolla 15 years ago while running through streets of the Windansea area — a love-at-first-sight moment that led her and her husband Alan to pack their bags and move here permanently to raise their four children. It’s a move that pushed her natural entrepreneurial spirit to create a different kind of “spirited” event, one that does not exist in any other city in southern California — The San Diego Spirits Festival. “I was in Las Vegas at the ‘Shake It Up Cocktail Competition’ when it dawned on me that this would be a great event to start in San Diego,” Edwards said. Now in its third year of operation, Edwards has dialed in her visionary version of the festival to include some unique pre-events that will precede the main festival this coming June. The “Taste de Mixology Food & Cocktail Shakedown” competition, happening Sunday, Nov. 7, will feature eight teams of paired chefs and drink mixologists who will work diligently for one hour to create a meal and liquor pairing that will wow a select panel of judges, such as former “Top Chef” contestant, Frankie “The Bull” Terzoli. Competing chefs and bartending mixologists will hail from a prime list of San Diego restaurants and bars, such as Bice, McCormick & Schmicks, Porto Vista Hotel and many more. “We’re doing things a little differently for this year, though,” said Edwards. “Chefs and mixologists will have to abide by some new rules.” For instance, the chef must use in his culinary creation one of the spirits the bartender uses. The drinks must be hand-crafted — no blenders — and chefs are not allowed to employ the help of a sous-chef. Edwards said she is excited to preface the main event with this “shakedown” showdown and feels it will push event goers out of their drink rut. The event will offer participants the opportunity to sample different types of spirits, all while enjoying the views from the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, Edwards said. But the aspect that Edwards is most excited about is the charity. “This year, proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the nonprofit organization, Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego (CDCA),” said Edwards. With a mission to offer professional educational opportunities for its member chefs, Edwards said she is excited to work with this organization and has even included CDCA board members in the “Taste de Mixology” event for the “10 Minutes to Ironhood” competition. The board members have been instructed to grub some volunteers from the crowd, at which point they’ll be told to make the same dishes and drinks from the main competition with only verbal directions from the chefs. “It’ll be difficult because the chefs and bartenders cannot physically help them to win,” Edwards said. In addition to the interactive games, Edwards will also be including a raffle and goody bags for the first 200 ticket purchasers. “I want people to come out and explore the spirits, see the trends bartenders are using in creating drinks that aren’t from pre-made mixes,” said Edwards. “Once you try them, you’ll never go back.” For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sandiegospirits festival.com or call (858) 551-1605. WHAT: Taste de Mixology Food & Cocktail Showdown WHERE: Hard Rock Hotel — 207 5th Ave., dowtown WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m.