RBC / "Serving our very best, One client at a time"

Last year we at the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia chose as a motto, "Serving our very best, One client at a time". In order to keep that promise we are adding a new ServSafe Manager Certification early in the new year 2009. For those of you who just didn't make your deadline and get your folk into a class in 2008. Or you need to get re certified right now, this class is for you.

This new class will be Saturday, January 3, 2009, 8-5pm in the conference room at the VOP Building, 703 Concord Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. You may sign up online at the bottom of this website. Do it now since this class is expected to fill up fast, and Happy New Year to ya.

Also we no longer have an office or a toll free 800 number in Locust Grove,VA. Congradulations are in order for the Rev Catherine Parker and the Higher Praise Ministries who recently celerbrated their One Year Anniversary there.

RBC / Returns to Courtyard by Marriott Dec 2008

We at the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia are proud to announce that we have the opportunity to return to the Courtyard by Marriott University /Medical Center.

This is one of the places where we began five years ago with ten people in our first class. The General Manager from Charlottesville along with GM's from a half dozen other Courtyards from across the Commonwealth of Virginia were in that first class.

The ServSafe Class that is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 is being moved form our office complex to the Courtyard by Marriott at the University to accommodate more people. The class time will be from 8Am til 6Pm with breaks for lunch, and the exam at the end. Only one employee from the original Group will be in this ServSafe class to renew his certificate.

This final class for December 2008 is full, all classes for Charlottesville in 2009 will be held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Go to the www.Servsafe.com website for times and location, which in most cases will be at my office at 703 Concord Ave. Thank you for your support in the year ending 2008, and have a blessed and prosperous New Year.

RBC Adopts, "ManageFirst Program"

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia. To better prepare its clients for managment careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry, announced today that it has adoped the ManageFirst Program offered through the National Restaurant Association Solutions.

Created with input from more than 200 industry experts, including academics, operators, trainers, hiring managers and executives, the ManageFirst Program focuses on 12 essential topics for management success in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. Visit: www.restaurant.org for more information.

ServSafe Classes/ Nov-Dec 2008

Persons who are interested in signing up for ServSafe classes for the month of November 2008 should hurry and sign up soon. The closer it gets to the year end the more calls we get for people registering for the available classes.

Currently there are four classes scheduled for each month, two in Charlottesville and two in Fredericksburg,VA. The cost of the class is $175 which includes the textbook and the exam. The class is a one day (8hr) class, with the exam given at the end of the day.

THE DATES ARE; CHARLOTTESVILLE: NOVEMBER 3 & 10; DECEMBER 3&16,2008, AND FREDERICKSBURG: NOVEMBER 5&13; DECEMBER 4&18, 2008.

Location: Camille's Sidewalk Cafe/Conference Room in the Central Park Shopping Center,1911 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg,Va(22401). In Charlottesville:VOP Building at 703 Concord Ave, (22903), (on the second floor rear entrance overlooking the parking lot).

You may pay via credit card or debit card by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and follow the prompts (checks accepted (10) days prior to day of class). Books will be mailed or hand delivered if you register in time, see you there. For more information go to www.servsafe.com, find a class.

The Place to go in Louisa, VA / Los Tres Potrillos

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia sends best wishes to a new area restaurant. Our most recent graduate of the ServSafe Manager Certification course is Juan Carlos Andrade, the proud owner of Los Tres Potrillos, located at 406 East Main Street, Louisa, VA.

Juan moved here from California after his uncle did the advance research to find a good location for his new venture. He says's "after sinking all his resources in the restaurant, his current employees are mostly family and friends". However, he is able to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and good customer service. When you are in the Louisa - Zion Cross Roads area due stop in and say hello to Juan or (call 540-967-3626) .

Phone numbers have changed/ message remains the same.

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia wants you to know about "ServSafe"@ a product of the National Restaurant Associations Solutions, LLC. (formerly the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation/ NRAEF), and taught by Chef Ralph Brown,Sr, a Certified Instructor.

For years now Chef Brown has been sounding the alarm about food safety in restaurants and other food establishments. He has certified employees in a lot of different places in the area, however the message remains the same over time. A foodborne illness can make someone very,very sick, and people are usually the number one cause.

Anyone can take this course, and benefit from this valuable information both at home and at work. However, because restaurants feed so many people, their management is required by law to have a certain amount of food safety knowledge. In the past it has seemed like "Top Secret" information, restaurants really didn't try to hide their lack of help or knowledge. Now, with so many different outbreaks; food borne illness has grabbed our attention in the main stream media.

The question is what can we do to keep our food safe, "answer", enroll in Chef Brown's class "Today". New number: 434-806-9762. Also look for the ServSafe Managers Certification Certificate in the restaurants and places where you eat frequently.

E-mail revrbrown@yahoo.com or chefbrownsr@aol.com thanks.

Breakfast at Holy Temple with Chef Brown

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia announces a new breakfast outreach at Holy Temple Church.

Chef Brown and the members of the C H Brown Christian Center had been worshipping at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Main street for the last five years. Rev Brown began the fellowship after his father, the late Rev C H Brown died in January of 1996. In July of 2008 the small congregation voted to return to the Holy Temple Church of God In Christ as members under the current Pastor Samuel Walker.

The Reverend Walker and the Brown family including Mother Angie Brown (age 90) were recently seen in the city council chambers on public access TV (9/8/08). They all appeared in support of the councils decision to list the Holy Temple Church located at 212 Rosser Ave as a historic property.

Rev C H Brown was honored with a Virginia joint house and senate resolution (HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION # 408) in March of 1998 for his work in the Charlottesville community. As a building contractor he built the Holy Temple Church, the Econo Lodge Hotel at the University on Emmet Street, and one hundred fifty home in the Charlottesville area.

The breakfast program is a part of the churches outreach to the community. The public is invited to join us for Sunday School and breakfast on Sunday morning from 9:00am to 10:00am. Sunday School actually begins at 10:30 , so there is plenty of time to enjoy a good breakfast prepared by Chef Brown. The morning worship begins at noon, so if you want Reverend Brown says's "you can stay all day".

New Residence Inn by Marriott /November 2008

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates the General Manager of the all new Residence Inn by Marriott in Waynesboro, Va. for passing the ServSafe Manager Certification Course this month.

The new Residence Inn in Waynesboro is located at 44 Windigrove Drive, and boast the usual amenities afford the Marriot brand. Marriott unique among major hotel chains, requires all of its General Manager, Restaurant Managers, and Engineers who service both the guest rooms and the kitchens to be ServSafe Certified.

According to Marriott the "Residence Inn by Marriott is the extended stay hotel that helps you feel connected while away from home and maintain a balance of work and life. Our homelike surroundings invite you to relax, and our community atmosphere make you feel welcome"

Congratulation's are also in order to the owner of "Ristorgnte Al Dente" the newst addition to the IX Building complex located at 925 Second Street SE in downtown Charlottesville, VA. The Food and Beverage Manager is also now ServSafe Certified after having completed our course this month. The hours of operation are 11:45-2pm lunch, 5:30pm -9:30 pm dinner, Sunday Brunch only, and "Closed on Monday".

The numbers have doubled/ report to workforce network

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is happy to report that our numbers have doubled since last year. "The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 and the Federal Regulations stipulate that the initial or first-year eligibility period, all training providers are required to be re-certified on an annual basis. https://www.vaworkforce.com/.


In our report to the Director Heather Foor, of the Thomas-Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development which process the report to the Piedmont Workforce Network http://www.piedmontworkforce.net/, our numbers were up 50% over last year. This data is also kept by the National Restaurant Associations Solutions, LLC at http://www.servsafe.com/.


According to the workforce network "the purpose of the re-certification process is to ensure that the programs retained on our approved list provide effective and quality training to the WIA participants. RBC Institute had the following programs certified: ServSafe Certification."

A Match made in Staunton, Virginia

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates recent ServSafe graduate Adam Beckel. Chef Beckel joins the staff at the Zynodoa Restaurant www.zynodoa.com in Staunton, Va,

The owners have a long history of preserving public safety by sending their people to RBC Institute for ServSafe training . At least two persons have graduated in the last year with high scores as did Adam.

Even more to their credit the Zynodoa owners chose a well trained, and experienced Chef in their choice of Adam. He is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute www.neci.edu which prides itself on "small classes, hands-on learning, paid internships, and real-life intensity". The Food Network star "Alton Brown, Creator and host of "Good Eats", is a 1997 graduate of NECI.

We wish the Zynodoa Restaurant much success in its future which is virtually assured as long as they continue the tradition of marrying good food with good, well trained, dedicated people.

A Good Season for high scores confirmed!

A message from the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a good season for high scores on our ServSafe Manager Certification course according to Chef Brown. Almost everyone who has taken the test in the last sixty days, has scored a 90% or above.

Most recently the owner's of Camille's Sidewalk Cafe in Fredericksburg,Va ranked among that elite few. Congratulations to Mr & Mrs McKinney for their commitment to excellence. This location of Camille's Sidewalk Cafe is located in Central Park at the busy intersection of Route 3 and I-95. They have free delivery, and they also cater meetings, parties, showers, receptions, conferences birthdays, and luncheons.

100% Scores at the Millennium Centre, Johnson City, TN

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is proud to announce scores for Millennium Center graduates. We had not one, but two persons to complete the ServSafe Manager Certification class with 100% scores. This is a first for Chef Brown and these folk were not sitting next to each other. The General Manager and the Executive Chef both had the highest scores in the class at 100%.

This is a testimony to the level of excellence you can expect from the staff and Management there at the Millennium Center in Johnson City, TN. The whole class passed with high scores, and they should be commended for their effort, not to mention the state of the arts facilities they maintain. Congratulation's for your hard work, your focus on the task at hand, and a job well done.

Tom Hamelman, ServSafe@ Online Student scores big

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congradulates online student for making one of our highest scores. The ServSafe@ Course from the National Restaurant Associations Solutions, LLC can be taken on line at http://www.servsafe.com/ , but the student must still find someone to proctor the exam.

Tom Hamelman, a Culinary Arts Instructor at Jackson River Technical Center in Covington, VA recently took the class and made the best score ever for an online student with Chef Brown. While we can not give out his score, we are proud of the fact that he traveled so far (Roanoke to Charlottesville), and did so well.

We have had only one other person to make such a bold commitment to food safety excellence. Last year Wanda Serrano, Registered Instructor who now teaches the course in Spanish http://www.awfoodsafetytraining.com/ , traveled form Philadelphia, Pa. Wanda earned the same high score on the print based version of the exam.

Tom took the Instructor version of the course, so anyone in the South-Western Virginia area who needs the ServSafe Manager Certification course should definitely contact him. Thanks again Tom Hamelman, and the Jackson River Technical Center for your commitment to keeping the public safe by teaching your students good food safety practices.

"New" ServSafe Employee Starter Course

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia presents the all new 5th edition ServSafe Employee Starter Course. This course can be taught by Managers who have been ServSafe Certified themselves.

In most cases this course can be taught in about four hours on location in the food service facility. Certificates attached in the booklets may be issued upon completion to employees. Chef Brown is available for planning and implementing this very good addition to the ServSafe Manager Certification Course offering; (Call 866-269-7460). Restaurant owners have long waited for a product like this, that could meet the need for proper training of all kitchen employees.

Royal Indian Restaurant/ Navdeep Dahiya, ServSafe Certified

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congradulate three new graduates who are now ServSafe@ Certified.

"At Royal Indian Restaurant we have attemped to recreate the abiance, atmosphere and the flavor that make your visit so memorable. We hope your visit to Royal Indian Restaurant will give you a glimpse of India and its rich culture. Contrary to popular belief, Indian food is not and does not have to be spiced overly hot to be enjoyed. In fact, the art in Indian cookery lies in the delicacy of the spicing" according to the Owner Ravi Dahiya. His son Navdeep Dahiya recently completed and passed the ServSafe@ Manager Certification Course.

Congradulations are also in order again to The Downtown Grille for two person who completed the class also. Michael J. Yuhasz, Assistant General Manager, and Caroline Hazelwood, Banquet and Assistant Restaurant Manager. That bring to a total of four persons from The Downtown Grille to graduate in 2008.

ManageFirst graduates to travel to Italy in 2009

Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia announces plans to offer "ManageFirst Program" in Spring 2009. According to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation "The future of our industry lies in the hands of tomorrow's managers". "That's why the NRAEF developed the "NRAEF ManageFirst Program".



"The ManageFirst Program includes a set of competency guides, exams instructor resources, certificates, a new credential, and support activities and services. By participating in the program, you are demonstrating your commitment to becoming a highly qualified professional either preparing to begin or to advance your career in the restaurant, hospitality, and food service industry".

The competency guides cover a broad range of topics ; Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Controlling Foodservice Costs, Human Resources Management and Supervision, ServSafe@FoodSafety ,Managerial Accounting, Customer Service, Food Production, and more. "To earn the NRAEF's new credential, you will be required to pass four core exams and one foundation exam(to be chosen from the remaining program topics) and to document your work experience in the restaurant and food service industry".

Chef Brown plans to begin offering the "ManageFirst" courses in the spring of 2009,as a consultant. He would like to offer them at the local Community College where the students can then qualify for scholarships form the "National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC". Chef Brown says, "I plan to travel to Italy in 2009, and I will have a drawing to take one or two of my ServSafe Certification Graduates with me".

Chef Brown will have a drawing at the end of 2008 to determine who that will be. You must also sign-up for at least one ManageFirst class, or indicate your intent to do so (by advance payment), prior to the end of 2008. You should also indicate the location where you prefer taking the class, Charlottesville, Culpeper, or Fredericksburg, VA. You can find out more about the NRAEF ManageFirst Program at http://www.servsafe.com/ .

RBC Institute at Locust Grove, VA

From the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia, thanks to our partners at Locust Grove, VA. We are blessed by the constant prayers and support of the Higher Praise Church. The Higher Praise Church has services every Sunday at noon. The Pastor & Founder, the Reverend Catherine Parker and her husband have been priceless.



We also hosted the Network (www.networkva.org) May 2008 Executive Board meeting , the youth really enjoyed being there. RBC Institute at Locust Grove hopes to grow into an effective partner in strengthening families in that community.

Special thanks to Mr & Mrs Kenny Dotson, Owners of the Locust Grove Towne Centre. Also, when you are in the area, stop by Robinson's Tavern for some great food & fun. John, the Owner and his Chef took the ServSafe Class with Chef Brown at the new Germanna Community College Campus in Culpeper, VA.

Community Builders Network of VA / 5th Annual Conference

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is happy to report that the Community Builders Network of Virginia (www.networkva.org), will be hosting its 5th Annual Conference at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, VA. The Network is composed of non profit organizations, community coalitions, and faith-based groups committed to prevention through Youth and Adult Partnership. There are five regions in the State of Virginia, Rev Brown is Regional Representative for Region One(www.regionone.wordpress.com) . "Save the date", the conference will be held August 21-23, scholarships are available for youth and adult attendance. The application can be found at the website, plan to be there "for the kids sake".

The Millennium Conference Centre/ ServSafe Class

Chef Ralph Brown, Sr will be traveling to Johnson City, Tenn next month to teach ServSafe Manager Certification at the Millennium Conference Centre (www.millctr.com) . This will be the first class Chef Brown has taught out side of the State of Virginia, but not the first major hotel conference center. In 2003 Chef Brown had the privilege of certifying employees at the Richmond Marriott West(www.Marriott.com) in Richmond, Va.

That same year he also certified employees at the local Glenmore Country Club(www.glenmore.com), in Keswick, VA, as well as the both Residence Inns by Marriott(www.ResidenceInn.com) in Richmond. He has certified employees of the Courtyard by Marriott (www.couryard.com) Brand in Charlottesville, Roanoke, Richmond and Petersburg, VA.

Special thanks to Mr Terry Woodard, General Manager of the Millennium Conference Centre for the invitation. Mr Woodard and Chef Brown worked together here in Charlottesville at the DoubleTree Hotel((www.doubletree.com) in the year 2000.

Outstanding work and commitment to excellence

From the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia. We wish the very best to our former intern Savithri Lankatilleke. Savi can best be described as an outstanding worker with an absolute commitment to excellence. As a PVCC Intern /Spring 2005, she was one of our first and best student intern.

In her own words "Upon my arrival in the United States, I was determined to enhance my career growth as well as my personal and professional development. Although I had previous work experience and practical knowledge in the administrative field. I felt the need to continue to upgrade my educational opportunities. Even though I was an adult, I was ready to go back to school, and apply that knowledge in some work environment."

"As a foreign student , I was told that I would have difficulty getting into an American College. I needed certain academic qualifications to be accepted to Piedmont Virginia Community College, and to obtain a student visa" I started my internship with RBC Institute in the spring semester of 2005. I immediately learned the difference between being a student and being in the work place as an Administrative Assistant. I discovered that no two days were alike. My main task was to provide assistance to Chef Ralph Brown who is the President, in all aspects of the organization.

Through Dash Sevenatha, I organized fundraising activities for Tsunami Rehabilitation and Rebuilding Project in Sri Lanka. Being a citizen of Sri Lanka, I felt that I owe it to my country and to its people, to take the tsunami disaster as a opportunity to use my skills to support the victims and the survivors of this horrifying tragedy.Savi has now graduated from PVCC, and she now lives in England. Special thanks to Savithri, wishing you the very best, because you gave us and your people your very best.

Event: ServSafe Classes June-July 2008

The next scheduled ServSafe Manager Certification Classes are June 25 & 27, 2008, 8AM -5PM. All classes in Charlottesville are held at the VOP Building located at 703 Concord Ave, from 8AM to 5PM. The public is cordially invited to attend, call Chef Brown at 434-806-9762. There are also classes scheduled for July 9 & 29 for Charlottesville, and July 15, 2008 at the RBC Institute, 32345 Constitution Highway, Locust Grove, VA.

ServSafe@ Manager Certification Class Graduates May-Jun 2008

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates recent graduates of Chef Brown's ServSafe Manager Certification Class@. Robert Sawrey, GM, and Chef Gary Glaser, the Downtown Grille (http://www.downtowngrille.com/), Charlottesville, VA; Ariel Smith, Olde Virginia Catering, Fredericksburg,VA; Melody Jo Schaffer, Food Supervisor, Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital (http://www.gscnc.org/), Washington, DC; Catina S. Meadows,Owner, Chef Around Town, Leesburg,VA; Luis Larios, Kitchen Manager,Houlihans, Scott Geter,A.K.M, Houlihans, and Mr David Welliver, General Manager, Crowe Plaza Dulles Airport (http://www.cpdulles.com/).

Special recognizion to Ms Schaffer who speaks both Chinese and Spanish, for taking this course to protect and serve the Girl Scouts of America. All of the ServSafe graduates will be eligible for our drawing for a free trip to Italy by years end. Best wishes to everyone, keep up the good work.

Charlottesville Sister City Commission

From the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Congratulations to Rev. Ralph Brown, Sr for his appointment June 2, 2008 by the Charlottesville City Council to the Charlottesville Sister City Commission(http://www.charlottesville.org/) . Rev Brown's brother Nehemiah Brown lives in Florence, Italy and runs the Florence Gospel Choir School. Nehemiah speaks fluent Italian, and they hope to collaborate with students through an Exchange program.