This summer, O'Reilly Media announces the creation of the Flex 3 Cookbook Cook-Off to celebrate the recent publication of Flex 3 Cookbook: Code-Recipes, Tips, and Tricks for RIA Developers (see this book on O'Reilly or on Amazon), written by Josh Noble, Todd Anderson, and a selection of authors whose recipes were plucked from the Adobe Flex Cookbook website. During this contest, we invite you to submit your best code recipes for the chance to win some great prizes.

So how do I participate?

Entries accepted at the Adobe Flex Cookbook site between June 2 & August 1, 2008

(Note: Make sure to select the O'Reilly opt-in option at the bottom of your recipe submission.)

So what are the prizes?

Grand prize: A ticket to Adobe MAX* from November 16-19 in San Francisco, California and $500 (US) in O'Reilly Media books

Community choice award: $350 (US) in O'Reilly Media books (this is the top-rated recipe during contest time period)

Second prize: Every Adobe Developer Library (ADL) book published by O'Reilly Media

Third prize: Five O'Reilly Media books of choice

So how do I win?

After August 1, the judges will determine the winners using the following criteria:

User Experience (30%): Does the recipe work well and produce a great-looking RIA? Does it make best use of the available controls?

Implementation (30%): Is the code well designed and understandable? Is it elegant?

Creativity (20%): Was the solution to the problem particularly creative without being obscure?

Relevance (15%): Does this example solve a problem that real engineers have in the real world?

"Flexiness" (5%): Was the solution implemented using Flex best practices?

Winners will be announced the first week of September, 2008.

For full terms and conditions please click here.

So get busy and post your recipes!

Read more from Rich Tretola.