One of the most widely eaten grains in the world will have the starring role in the sixth annual Rice Expo Recipe Contest, whose entry deadline is June 16.

The contest is open to everyone in Arkansas.

The contest judges will select the top three winners for prizes of $200, $150 and $100 during the Arkansas Rice Expo on Aug. 4 at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart, Ark. The expo is an annual event of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

There are a few prerequisites.

“Of course, rice — in any form — has to be the chief ingredient in the recipe,” said Dianna Bowen, Lonoke County Extension agent who chairs the rice contest committee. “And its ingredients should be easily obtained in any local grocery store.”

Complete rules are available at www.uaex.edu/rice-expo. Participants may enter by completing the electronic entry form available at the rules webpage and email it, along with a copy of their recipe to Bowen at [email protected].

The recipe must be in a standard format including ingredients and measurements in order of use, step-by-step preparation and cooking methods, the number of servings and cost per serving (determined by dividing the total cost of the dish by the number of servings).

Only one entry per person is allowed.

The top 10 finalists will be notified by July 10.

The top three winners must be present to receive their awards, which will be announced during the expo’s closing activities. The first-place winner’s recipe will be highlighted in the 2017 Rice Expo Cookbook.