Yolanda at Taco Bell/ Taco Bell

The Staff here at the Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to thank Yolanda Jackson for letting us serve by helping her get ServSafe Certified. We are so proud of Yolanda for her strong spirit, work ethic, and her willingness to arrive early and stay late.

That is exactly what Yolanda (age 27,mother of 5), did last month to get herself re-certified in ServSafe Food Safety. Yolanda a Manager at the Taco Bell in Fredericksburg, VA arrived early at the site and took a nap on the desk waiting for Chef Brown. Then at the close of the day prior to test time she had to leave and pick up two of her kids from day care. She came back, took the test and failed it by four points.

Showing that she is not a quiter, she paid herself to take the test again (two weeks later), and passed by a considerable margin. This was at the close of a work day, twelve hour shift. Always smiling, she showed true courage, and self confidence in her commitment to excellence for us and her employer Taco Bell. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you Yolanda Jackson

Chef Ralph Brown /IRON CHEF /2004

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia takes a look back to remember past events. The Daily News-Record, Lee Zion writes, "CHEFS COMPETE FOR CHARITABLE CAUSE".

"Chef Ralph Brown explains the secret behind making a good omelet--saute the veggies first. Then pour in the eggs. That way, the flavor of the vegetables permeates the whole omelet, he said.

Use a Teflon skillet, so the omelet won't stick, and you can flip the omelet into the air, Brown said as he demonstrated with a snap of the wrist. Brown was one of six chefs from the region participating in the Taste of Harrisonburg Iron Chef competition. Brown (a member of the Blue Ridge Chef's Association) runs a food safety/service training program through Project Food Chain in Charlottesville.

Chefs were invited to cook up their best for a paying audience, with the proceeds going to charity. The event, organized by Clear Channel Communications, raised money for Toys For Kids, a local program that gives toys to about 400 needy children every year, said Susie Smith Niarhos, 48, sales manager for Clear Channel.

Although Clear Channel runs a charity event for Toys For Kids every year, this (2004)event is the first time a chefs' cook-off was organized around it. Niarhos hopes it will become an annual event. "It's For The Kids"

Thanks / Mel's for ServSafe Committment

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to thank Mel's Cafe on West Main Street for their strong commitment to food safety. Mel's brother Arthur Walker recently passed the ServSafe Manager Certification course with over 90% score. This follows Mel himself passing the course last year, and another employee on track to re-certify this month.

Chef Brown and his son Ralphie were featured in a local TV promotion for Mel's (seen here in front of Mel's cafe). Chef Brown claims Mel's has some of the best down-home cooking in town. "ServSafe and good food, a great combination".