'All in the family' is the way to go when it comes to combining good cuisine with fund-raising for charity — at least that's the way Judith Wadson, proprietor of Aggie's Garden restaurant at 108 Pitts Bay Road, sees it. The professional chef also knows that weekends are best for entertaining and escaping the domestic kitchen, especially if the location is right on Hamilton harbour and cooled by sea breezes.

Miss Wadson is launching a series of al fresco benefit dinners on the lawn at Aggie's Garden which she describes as "a celebration of locally-grown food" — with all of the ingredients coming from brother Tom Wadson's organic farm.

Entitled 'From Plough to Plate', she promises the Saturday night menus for groups of 20 will be bountiful, and will highlight the richness of organic, grass-fed lamb, chicken, and vegetables.

"Recreating a sense of connection to farming, cooking and eating is what 'Plough to Plate' dinners embrace," Miss Wadson says. "They also strengthen our island community by helping to raise funds for several charities, because a percentage of each dinner's proceeds will be donated to the Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, which is in danger of closing due to lack of funds; Beacon House for the Blind, and Greenrock."

The dinners, served buffet style, and on a BYOB basis, will begin at 6.30 p.m. For further information telephone Aggie's Garden (296-7346) or e-mail aggies@tbinet.bm