WHEN salesman Barrie Watson was selected as a finalist on BBC television's Master Chef, it encouraged him to rethink his career options, and became the entree to a new career.

But Barrie still had reservations and sought help from the business start-up team at the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), in Sunderland.

Appearing on the programme in 1997, the show's judges persuaded him that his real talents lay in cooking.

Five years on, Barrie is cooking up a storm in the North-East, having just opened his third catering venue - The Prickly Pear Bistro.

The new venture is a natural progression from his already successful outside catering firm, which was opened a year after appearing on the programme, and caf, also called The Prickly Pear.

Barrie decided to open a bistro after requests from his existing customers who wanted a better choice of restaurant in Sunderland.

Barrie sought advice from the BIC to help him get the idea off the ground.

He said: "Requests from existing customers to open in the evenings highlighted the demand for a bistro, but I needed to ensure there was a real market in order to justify opening in the evenings.

"The BIC was very supportive when I first started the catering business, and I knew they would be able to provide professional guidance, regarding how the expansion would impact on my business."

Business advisor at the BIC Willie Herdman said: "When Barrie first approached us four years ago, he was full of enthusiasm for the project, and that is still evident today.

"Our services are designed to help sustain businesses, and we were delighted to be able to assist Barrie with his expansion plans."

He added: "Running a small business is a real, viable option and one which more people are considering.

"Anyone can set up in business on their own, but the results of specialist advice speak for themselves.

"Research has shown that people who take advantage of the professional advice available are three times more likely to be successful than those who don't.