Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) will welcome Cleveland native Chef Dante Boccuzzi for the third annual "Recipe for Comfort: A Celebration of Food" fundraiser on Friday, September 26, 2008 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market Street, Akron. Eileen McShea, host of WKYC's "Good Company," is the emcee for the evening. The event raises funds for end-of-life patient care and supportive services.

A Patron Party including cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to meet Chef Boccuzzi will start the evening at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will follow at 7:30 p.m. when he goes on stage to prepare a delicious four-course meal, with wine pairings, for those in attendance to observe and then enjoy! A kitchen and food-themed silent auction will run throughout the evening. Tickets are available for $75 and $125.

Chef Boccuzzi is the owner and chef of Restaurant DANTE on Rockside Road in Valley View. He prepares the "Recipe of the Week" on WOIO Channel 19, and has also made many other appearances on local television.

He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and began his career at Charlie Palmer's New York acclaimed restaurant, Aureole, where he gained extensive experience in all things culinary. He has worked in restaurants in Italy, France, England, Taiwan, China and all over the United States. Boccuzzi's culinary career came full circle in 2007, when he returned to his home state of Ohio and opened DANTE. More information on Chef Boccuzzi and his restaurant is available at www.danteboccuzzi.com.

A winner will also be chosen at the event for the Recipe for Comfort Cooking School Vacation Raffle. The winning ticket holder receives a Jekyll Island, Georgia Cooking School Package for two. Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold. More information and a raffle ticket request form is available at www.vnsa.com.

Don't miss out on this very special evening. To receive an invitation, please contact the Hospice of VNS Development Office at 330-665-1455.

About Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS)
The purpose of Hospice of VNS is to alleviate suffering, engender hope, promote living and facilitate grieving among patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses, their families and their communities. Hospice of VNS is a 2006 and 2007 HomeCare Elite Top Agency, and is an affiliate of Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates (comprised of Advanced Infusion Services, Hospice of VNS, VNS Personal Care Services, VNS Equipment & Supplies and Visiting Nurse Service). VNSA serves Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Wayne and surrounding counties and is a member of the Akron General Health System. Visit us on the web at www.vnsa.com.