A local restaurant featured on American television will transform into a cooking school featuring healthy, creative meals.

Aggie's Garden, an organic café on Pitts Bay Road, was featured on the Food Network's show, '$40-a-Day', with chef and talk show host Rachael Ray. The popular cafe was known for its fresh and tasty organic dishes and its scenic nook away from it all in Hamilton.

Now however the owner is changing focus.

"I love teaching and sharing my cooking and nutritional knowledge," said owner and chef Judith Wadson. "Through the café experience, I learned that my most interesting guests wanted more than just great meals. They wanted to learn how to eat better and live longer as a result. I believe that this will better service the needs of our Island community."

The café, open since 2003, will transform into a recreational cooking school, offering catering services and creating organic products for the Farmer's Market.

There will be hands-on classes featuring healthy, creative meals for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans beginning next week.

Course for diabetics, heart patients and those with wheat and dairy allergies will also take place. For more information contact Ms Wadson at 296-7346.