Reports of where to find those specialty mushrooms featured in last week's food section are sprouting! Food pundit and Ho-nolulu Chinatown Tours operator Walter Rhee discovered that Whole Foods, Don Quijote and a newish store, Nijiya (in the University area) carry at least some of the flavor enhancers. Former Advertiser food writer Joan Namkoong, now of the Big Island, notes that they're grown at Hamakua Mushrooms and are available at Costco and other supermarkets.

— Advertiser staff

HOT! HOT! HOT!

TABASCO CONTEST SEEKS RECIPES FROM FIREFIGHTERS

Tabasco's McIlhenny Co. is holding its fifth national Cook & Ladder Competition, in which firefighters vie for the honor of being the "hottest" firehouse cook with a $10,000 grand prize. It seeks recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, side dishes or desserts — all must include at least one Tabasco sauce. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 31. Check rules and get forms at www.tabasco.com.

— Advertiser staff

FINAL WORD

"Thanskgiving is never far from a food editor's mind. Even as we eat the turkey, we're annoying our friends and relatives with questions like, 'What different things would you like to have on the table next year?' "

Ruth Reichl , editor in chief, Gourmet's Thanksgiving 2008 issue