He's happy to report, too, that tourism is on the rise, this year. He doesn't need any official confirmation.

" My figures generally match the changes in tourism,'' said the 67-year old Smith's Parish entrepreneur. "Things have really taken off this year. I've had a great three months, especially the last two weeks.

"This year already has been one of my best starts. The last two weeks has been the busiest I've had in a long time supplying the stores I stock.'' His business and tourism are on the verge of a major promotional boost, with the island and Outerbridge sherry pepper products being prominently featured in television programmes that are hitting the airwaves on two major networks and a cable show.

Visitors are not the only ones who buy the internationally known, home-grown product, but as tourism increases, so do his local sales. Tourism was up by 10.1 per cent last year. Sales were up 12.7 per cent. There are fourteen items he markets, in total, including 22 gift pack configurations and a cookbook.

This year, he is hoping to expand his overseas market.

Mr. Outerbridge is in his 30th year of producing a uniquely Bermudian seasoning that adds to a variety of dishes in the differing languages of international cuisine. He says his business has steadily increased.

Outside of Bermuda, he supplies the product to a number of what he calls "upscale mom and pop shops''.

"I'm capable of filling any orders that come my way.'' There may be a lot of new orders coming his way, after Outerbridge's Sherry Peppers started to be featured prominently on TV chef, Mr. Bert Wolfe's programmes. Mr. Wolfe has programmes on the Travel Channel and on CNN. He was entertained by Mr. Outerbridge when he came here in November. They've been friends for some years.

Mr. Outerbridge called Tourism officials about the celebrity's presence on the Island and Mr. Wolfe has taped three half-hour programmes, filmed in Bermuda, that will be aired on CBS and CNN during March and April.

The CNN programme is estimated to draw an audience of 158 million people, and the Travel Channel may net another 17 million viewers.

As the only permanent employee of the company, Mr. Outerbridge has the bulk of his business through local sales, as tourists buy to return home with the products. Refills could be obtained by mail from a Rhode Island warehouse, even though the ordering is done through Bermuda.

Most of the manufacturing for the "Bermuda product'' is done in New Jersey.

Mr. Outerbridge said: "It's easier that way. I make a concentrate here, although I partially make some in the states, too. But it is all bottled up there by a contract bottler.''