Rhapsody, the Hocking College School of Hospitality fine dining establishment located on Nelsonville Public Square, will be reopening soon.

Master Chef Alfonso Contrisciani will bring back former favorites and serve up delectable new Appalachian farm-to-table dishes at this favorite local restaurant that closed temporarily in mid-April after a fire on the square damaged several businesses.

Rhapsody will serve dinner every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There also plans for the restaurant to be open for Sunday brunch beginning in December. The official opening day will be announced in the near future.

Returning as Rhapsody’s Executive Chef and General Manager, Contrisciani is academic dean of hospitality programs and director of practicum properties at Hocking College. He is one of only 68 certified master chefs in the country and has garnered more than 75 national and international awards, including 36 gold medals, during his career. In 2004, the International Food & Beverage Forum named him Restaurateur of the Year, and in the 2000 International Culinary Olympics he captained team USA, which won the world championship in the cold food category.

“Hocking College is fortunate to have this wonderful venue as training ground for our School of Hospitality Students,” said Dr. Betty Young, Hocking College president. “The community has missed Rhapsody during the closing, and we look forward to serving old and new patrons.”

About Hocking College

With more than 50 associate degree and certificate programs to choose from, Hocking College offers students a hands-on, quality educational experience that is flexible, affordable and applicable to their career goals. Our campus, nestled in the foothills of southeastern Ohio, consists of 2,300 acres of land and the state's only two-year college-owned residence halls. Come visit us today to experience why more than 3,000 students each year choose a Hocking College education. More information is available at www.hocking.edu.