products at the International Fancy Food and Confection show, which took place recently in Washington, DC.

Participating under the Tastes of Bermuda banner were Horton's Original Bermuda Black Rum Cake, Outerbridge's Original Sherry Peppers, and the Fourways Inn line of gourmet products.

The potential for tiny Bermuda sinking beneath the weight of over 1000 exhibitors displaying approximately 21,000 products was enormous. Instead it made waves and won raves.

The Bermudian pavilion proved a popular attraction, with many visitors expressing surprise that so small an island produced such fine products. Many also volunteered that the Island was their favourite resort destination.

The local entrepreneurs found themselves situated at the end of the long, bright British Isles aisle, which included an endless array of specialty foods, including chutneys, jams, fiery jerk sauces, chocolates and fresh, frozen and dried foods handsomely packaged in eye-catching tins, boxes, envelopes and baskets, so competition for the browser's attention was fierce.

Among those on hand to greet Tastes of Bermuda visitors were Mr. Yeaton Outerbridge, in pink Bermuda shorts and signature "pepper'' tie, whose sherry pepper stories proved delightful, and Mrs. Linda Horton, whose rum cake won an award of excellence at last year's show.

"It was very exciting and very worthwhile,'' Mrs. Horton said of the glittering four-day event, which also included parties, seminars and book signings among its attractions.

Among the estimated 60,000 restaurateurs, retailers, brokers, food writers and chefs gathered at the mammoth convention centre to see, smell and taste the huge array of international food products were culinary "greats'' Paul Prudhomme, Spago chef Wolfgang Puck, "Asian Invasion'' chef Tommy Tang, and Jeff Smith of Frugal Gourmet fame.

Mr. Yeaton Outerbridge Mrs. Linda Horton.