The Kansas Wheat Commission’s annual Festival of Breads seeks your best bread recipe in a contest where the top prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vt. — plus a year’s supply of Fleischmann’s Yeast. And some money, too! Amateur bakers ages 18 and up may make online submissions of original recipes for ethnic breads, rolls, time-saving and easy breads, and whole-grain breads. eight finalists will be flown to Wichita to bake their recipes at the festival next June 23-25, then a grand prize winner will be named. the deadline for entries is Feb. 7. for details and entry forms, visit NationalFestivalofBreads .com.

For special-needs cooks

Those with special needs, whether developmental or physical, often require a different sort of instruction. a new cookbook published in Minnesota seeks to fill that niche. "Let’s Cook: Healthy Meals for Independent Living" is from Appletree Press in Mankato. Anne Kissack, a registered dietitian, and Betsy Riesz, a university professor whose daughter has down syndome, came up with strategies for teens and young adults to learn basic concepts of nutrition, recipe preparation and kitchen safety. (Step One of each recipe: "Wash my hands.") Color photos illustrate the step-by-step instructions, while a spiral binding enables the cookbook to lie flat. "Let’s Cook" is available at the down Syndrome Association of Minnesota (call Catherine-McDonnell Forney at 651-603-0720) or through appletree-press.com. Cost is $24.99.

Taste of the Nation