For Nelsonville locals and hungry folks everywhere, the Rhapsody Restaurant is waiting with a variety of appetizers and dishes. The restaurant is not only popular for its seasonal menus and occasional live music, but also for the students from Hocking College's culinary arts program, who have been making the food and servicing customers for years.
Students from Hocking College get hands-on experience while studying culinary arts, baking, hospitality and events management, having the chance to learn fundamental skills to work in the food industry. At Rhapsody Restaurant, located on 18 Public Square, Nelsonville, students learn how to work in casual dining, specifically focusing on pastry, grill and other areas of the kitchen and restaurant. Dishes range from $5 sides to $45 entrees.
Through the culinary arts program, some classes require lab experiences, which means students will spend their time at either Rhapsody, The Lodge at Hocking College or its food truck, all operated by students. Eladio Vassell, the dean of workplace enforcement, oversees many programs through Hocking College, including the culinary programs.
Vassell said there are 20 students at Rhapsody, who are rotated throughout the schedule. He said everything in the kitchen is done by students and is overseen by the executive chef. Vassell said the executive chef is there to ensure every student gets to learn from all the areas in the kitchen in their 16-week period, to complete 190 hours in the restaurant.
“I think it's a part of our inclusiveness of learning,” Vassell said. “I want to get the students involved in it as much as possible. What you find is the quality of product that they produce. It becomes phenomenal.”
One project for the students during their program at Rhapsody is to create a dish, prepare it and allow the director of food and beverage, Jennifer Yanity, and others to taste test the meal. The individual who receives the highest score gets to see their dish featured on the next menu.
Vassell said this experience at Rhapsody not only prepares students for the industry and gives them the basic skills to thrive, but it also gives students the work experience employers are looking for right out of college. He said the college often gets called by companies that wish to employ students from their culinary program.
“We can safely say that when a culinary student or hospitality student is graduating from Hocking College, approximately two, three months before they graduate, they have at least 2.5 job offers,” he said.
On the menu, there is something for any occasion and mood, and it has a range of dishes including vegetarian options, steak, seafood, chicken, pasta and burgers, available with sides and add-ons. Vassell said the executive chef, a former student of Hocking College, is Jamaican and infuses a lot of the American food with a Caribbean flair.
“You'll find a really nice jerk meatloaf, but you'll also find a nice Bang Bang chicken, you'll find black salmon, you'll find steak strips,” Vassell said. “So we try to ensure that there's a balance of everything on our menu that is not only appealing just to the general public, but our students who want to dine at Hocking College.”
The restaurant is very popular and was named the number one restaurant in the Hocking Hills area last year by TripAdvisor, according to Vassell. It receives many reservations nightly and hosts frequent events for guests, like a pizza night on Thursdays and a jazz night every other Wednesday.
Rhapsody Restaurant impressed two locals from Grandview on Friday night, Angie and John Anderson. They enjoyed their time so much that they returned Saturday night. John said they were going to see the Sam Bush Band at Stuart’s Opera House, a short distance away from the restaurant.
“I love the idea of this being a place for the students to practice their culinary skills, and the food is delicious,” John Anderson said. “We had great meals both nights.”
Angie Anderson said she enjoyed her pasta and salmon, and said the beignets melted in their mouths. The pair enjoyed some coffee and Jackie O’s brown ale, as well as the wine.
“It's just a nice atmosphere. I love the decor. We had really great service tonight,” Angie Anderson said.
For those interested in the Hocking College culinary program, visit the website to learn more. Reservations can be made at Rhapsody Restaurant through its website.
