Food has become a big business in Munster, which is why centres of excellence such as UCC and the Cork Institute of Technology have devoted huge resources to research, training and innovation. Last week, students at the CIT's catering college who will compete in the Silver Whisk 2000 competition in Brussels next March showed their wares to invited guests as they entered the final stages of preparation for this important event. It involves 14 finalists each year from all over Europe and for five evenings, they take over a restaurant to strut their stuff and show off local produce - in this case, Munster produce. It will be another example of how Irish food can be a potent lure in furthering our tourism industry.