Want $20,000 (and who doesn't)? You might want to look into Cooking Light magazine's recipe contest, which appears to be stealing the spotlight from the big daddies of consumer recipe competition — the Pillsbury and the Chicken Cooking contests. Categories include starters and drinks, sides and salads, family dinners and desserts, and the deadline is May 31.

The rules are a bit complicated and involve using specific ingredients from contest sponsors, so you need to go to www.cookinglight.com to find out just what to do. If you qualify, you will be flown to Cooking Light's headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., for a cook-off next September. And the bonus? If you win, they'll also donate $5,000 to the charity of your choice.

CULINARY CLASSES

LEARN TO COOK WITH RUSSELL SIU

One of the things we hear over and over is "Where can I take cooking classes in Honolulu?" There are too few options, but one place coming up is 3660 On the Rise. On the evenings of March 19 and May 7, 3660 executive chef Russell Siu will share his skills, preparing a full menu, and students will be able to taste the results, too.

To whet your appetite: Dishes to be demonstrated include crispy ginger scallion prawns, blue crab cucumber summer rolls, chicken marsala with linguine, strawberries with warm sabayon. The fee is $55, and classes begin promptly at 6 p.m. Registration is a must: 737-1177.