The Young Pasta Cook of the Year Award requires budding chefs aged 11 to 16 to send in their recipes, by April 30, for a well-balanced and innovative three-course meal, which includes pasta in the main course. The overall national winner will spend a day helping renowned chef Anton Edelmann prepare their winning recipe and other dishes for the Savoy Hotel and receive a set of Le Creuset cookware worth pound;800. Organised by the British Pasta Products Association and other pasta manufacturers. Details: 0171 388 7421.

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NOVELISTS

Nottingham’s Library Service is looking for the city’s favourite new paperback author but has received few entries. First novels in English brought out in paperback in 1998 and costing no more than pound;5.99 are eligible. Library users will be asked to vote for their favourite read this summer. The eventual winner will “get kudos rather than cash”. Details: Helen Pollard, 0115 921 1891.

LOCAL HEROES

Thousands of people give their time and energy to support local communities, from helping charities to improving the environment and working with young people to caring for the sick and elderly. If you believe someone deserves a Nationwide Award for Voluntary Endeavour, send in your nomination by April 30. Forms are available from your local Nationwide branch or public library. Last year’s winner was Claudy Rural Development Ltd from Northern Ireland, which put the heart back into an area decimated 25 years ago by a terrorist bombing which killed several innocent people.

YEAR 2000 ROLEX AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE April 30 is the deadline for entering original and innovative projects in these categories: science and medicine; technology and innovation; exploration and discovery; the environment and cultural heritage. Double the usual amount of prize money is on offer. Five Laureates (the highest honour) will receive US$75,000 and a gold Rolex chronometer. Among previous award winners is Alexander Stannus for his River 2000 project, set to make him the first man to circumnavigate the globe using inland waterways. Entries to: The Secretariat, The Rolex Awards for Enterprise, PO Box 1311, 1211 Geneva 26, Switzerland; Website: www.rolexawards.com