New Culinary Arts Program Planned / PVCC

The Center for faith-based and community learning in Charlottesville, Va is happy to announce, Piedmont VA Community College really does plan to open a Culinary Arts Program.

This new program according to Chef Ralph Brown Sr who is one of the members of the planning committee, should open in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013. The building is also expected to be the new home of the African-American Heritage Center.

The new PVCC/ Culinary Arts Program will be located in the fully restored and completely remodeled Historic Jefferson School Building once renovations are complete. "We are expecting to have a million dollar state-of-the-arts commerical kitchen with studios and classroom capacity for live broadcasts" according to his sources.

This is a first for Charlottesville; prior to now there has been no place for Food Service workers to get formal training in the area from a fully Accredited Institution of Higher Learning.

We will keep you posted on the progress of this new program, and announce the exact opening date as soon as we know. Also, congratulations and thank you to Chef Brown for his service on this committee. Along with all of the dozen or more other Culinary Chefs, Educators, and businessmen who have join in this task.

ServSafe@ Food Safety Classes/ 2012

RBC Institute,Inc / The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Va & Executive Chef Ralph Brown Sr had their last class on December 12, 2011. This was a very good year and that class was one of our very best.

Classes are now scheduled for Jan 12, Feb 13, & Mar 12,2012, at the Center for Non-profit Excellence, 1702-A Allied Street, Charlottesville,VA 22903. The 2012 ServSafe@ Food Safety Classes will have a new time schedule, 9am to 5pm on each scheduled date. As in the past the exam is proctored at the end of the day and certificate are issued in about ten days.

For a schedule of all classes go to www.servsafe.com, click "locate-a-Instructor" and/or type 22903 area code. The RBC Institute,Inc and our President/ Chef Ralph Brown Sr wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Red Roof Inn / GM gets ServSafe@ Certified

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia says "Congratulations" to Yolunda Armstrong, General Manager of the Red Roof Inn. Ms. Armstrong was in our class last month and proved why she holds the leadership position that she does at one of the best hotels in Charlottesville,VA.

The Red Roof Inn is located in the heart of the University of Virginia community at the corner. Ms Armstrong says there are some real upgrades in their future, but even now "this Hotel has a great location" with a great view of the City from its top floors.

This is another good reason why you should plan to come visit Charlottesville for the 2011 Fall Season. The Virginia Film Festival offers a great opportunity and excuse to do so,"right now".

Bounce & Play,Others /ServSafe@ Certified

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia thank the folk at Bounce&Play for their commitment to excellence. Over this past summer the employees at Bounce & Play, Lunch Box, and many others attended food safety class with Chef Ralph Brown Sr.

The young folk there were very excited about getting ServSafe@ Certified, and being ready to take their business to the next level serving good food. We wish them much success with this new concept of family fun, and we can't wait to see many more locations around the country.

Chef Ameera / BET AWARDS guest & performers

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is proud to announce that Chef Ameera will be "the Celebrity Chef" on Sunday, June 26,2011. She will be preparing food for the Black Entertainment Television performers & guests during the "BET AWARDS SHOW".

You must go to her facebook page or website (www.chefameera.com) for more information, but we are excited with and for her. This is a great opportunity for her to demonstrate her unique cuisine and skills as a Culinary Chef. I am sure the folk at BET will not be disappointed with their choice of Chef Ameera as their "Chef to the Stars".

Chef Ameera, "Celebrity Chef to the Stars", Welcome!

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia wish to announce a partnership with the Chef Ameera of Los Angeles to create more opportunities for women. Chef Ameera has been asked to be the spokes person for RBCI to encourage more women to become Private Chefs. She is a perfect example of what you can achieve if you "never give up on your dreams". More about Chef Ameera's story can be found at her website: www.chefameera.com ,or call Chef Ralph (434)806-9762.

"Coming to America", E-Coli, "deadly strain"?

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is "tracking a killer". Along with everyone else in the food safety business we at RBCI are paying close attention to the news about "Germany's E-coli Outbreak". It appears that it is not just "coming to America", but has arrived, and four people so far have been hospitalized.

Women are most susceptible according to news reports, "because of their diets". Simple, they eat more salads than men, especially with sprouts and stuff on them. Now would be a great time for those restaurant owners who were contemplating signing up for our Food Safety classes to do so. Our next class is at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, 1701-A Allied Street, in Charlottesville, VA 22903.

"Minority Business Summit" / at Omni Hotel

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia registered for the Charlottesville "Minority Business Summit" at the Omni Hotel on Monday, May 23, 2011. Chef Ralph Brown Sr attended representing RBCI, this event was sponsored by the "Dialogue On Race".

The attendees gathered for an opening session featuring Dr Fairchild from the Darden School of Business at UVa. Then they went to breakout sessions with a nice lunch in between in the Omni Atrium. The day was productive, packed with new insights, data, and clear choices for new and old business owners in the Charlottesville Community. The session began with remarks by Mayor Dave Norris, he also introduced the City Manager who kicked off the event. See news story from The Newsplex CBS 19 below:

RBCI /at the Germanna Twin Office Park

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is happy to announce that our first class hosted by Higher Praise Ministries at the Germanna Twin Office Park was a great success.

Higher Praise Christian Church is located in the Germanna Twin Office Park on the first floor. They have a great worship center and additional space for classes and dinning. Rev Catherine Parker is the Pastor of Higher Praise Ministries, a small mission that began only a few years ago, but is now growing and moving on to bigger and better things by the grace of God.

Our ServSafe@ Food Safety Class is scheduled for the Fredericksburg area only once a month. The Germanna Twin Office Building is located only fifteen miles west of Fredericksburg on Route 3. This very fine facility and the great hospitality of the HPCC allows us to "serve our very best, one client at a time". Each student is made to feel at home with easy access to restrooms, break areas, and nearby restaurants.

We look forward to God's increase as more and more people learn, and understand how important it is to "serve food safely". The laws that govern restaurants and food service facilities do not always apply to non-profits in the same way. We now have a grant from the Bamma Works Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation which makes it more affordable ("two for one deal") and help us get the word out to those who need to know.

Please, don't wait, scroll to the bottom of this page and "enroll now". For a schedule of classes go to www.servsafe.com (find a class) put in 22903 or 22508. Thank you, you will be glad you did.

RBCI / promotes Chef Marisa Churchill's new book

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia welcomes the request by "Celebrity Top Pastry Chef Marisa Churchill to promote her new book, "Sweet & Skinny".

We are always looking for ways to promote good, safe, and healthy foods. Chef Marisa's new book is a culinary delight for those who are trying to find a way to cure their "sweet tooth", and stay healthy.

Chef Marisa appeared on the popular "Food Network Show" to face what was billed as "the Ultimate Cook Off" of the nations Top Pastry Chefs. She is now touring the country appearing on other local TV shows and demonstrating her secret recipes. Those of us who are diabetic know how invaluable a book like this can be.

We wish her much success in her career as a "Top Celebrity Chef", and author; may she write many more books. Look for "Sweet & Skinny" in your local bookstores like Barnes & Noble, or go to Amazon.com.

RBC thanks the "Building Goodness Foundation"

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to "Praise God",and thank the Building Goodness Foundation for the "Build Day" work of the UVa Darden Business School Students.

Scores of students from the Darden School and other Charlottesville community volunteers showed up to give the Holy Temple Church a face lift on Sat, April 9, 3011. The effort was coordinated by Rev Ralph Brown Sr, who also had his home renovated on "Build Day". His home and the Holy Temple Church were both built by his father the late Rev C H Brown. Brown also built the Econo Lodge Hotel near the University's John Paul Jones Arena, and over one hundred other homes in Charlottesville.

This is the second time the UVa Darden students have worked with Rev Ralph Brown to work at the Holy Temple Church. In 1996 after the death of his father, then Chef Brown had the Kitchen and basement dinning area upgraded for a Prepared and Perishable Foods outreach program. Under the direction of the local Health Department the small church kitchen was brought into code requirements. Thanks to our friends in the Charlottesville Community for always showing up when we need them most.

New Food Safety Discounts/ "Extended to May 2011"

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia announces "buy one, get one free" discounts extended through May 31,2011. That's right just sign up one person for our food safety class, "buy books with the exam sheet attached for both of you, and you only pay the $100 registration fee for the one person. However, you must buy the textbooks from RBCI, and donate both books back after the class is over. If you have more than two people, just repeat the process with each person you sign up.

Registering now means your discount is good up to one year, so if you are not ready to take the class that's OK. Just choose another month that is more convenient for you and/or your staff person. Also you don't have to be in the same class unless that is your choice. The discount program applies to any class taught by our President, Chef Ralph Brown, Sr until December 31, 2011. Sign up today, just scroll to the bottom of this page and follow the prompts.

Chef Ralph Brown, Sr is a Registered ServSafe@ Instructor and Exam Proctor for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation's / NRA Solutions, LLC, (www.servsafe.com) . He is also has "Active Chef" member status with the ACF (American Culinary Federation) & Blue Ridge Chef's Association.

Congratulations to Keith Reid /now /ServSafe@ Certified

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates Keith Reid. Keith is one of the proud graduates of the March 2011 ServSafe@ Food Safety class. Keith attended Culinary School in Baltimore,and is the youngest person to take our class in a long time.

March was the first month we held classes at the "Center for Non-profit Excellence", where we are now members. We are glad to be there with all of the state-of-the arts equipment and resources at our disposal. We really appreciate the kind and always friendly welcome we receive from the staff. So we gladly say, thank you Keith, and thank you CNE for creating a great environment for success.

Royal Indian Restaurant / "Coming Soon".

In the space that was formerly Tiffany's Seafood the Royal Indian Restaurant owners are working hard daily renovating and putting the finishing touches on what will be a superb dining experience.

They have also doubled their commitment to handling food safely by both "husband and wife" enrolling in our class. This is a first for us, but we look forward to serving this couple in their own native language of "Hindi", & English.

The ServSafe@ Manager Certification course is offered in a number of different languages, and when necessary an interpreter can be used. We look forward to the "Grand Opening" of the new Royal Indian Restaurant. The last time we served them,we had their son in our food safety class in 2008.

St Anne's Belfield School/ one more "for good measure"

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is proud to congratulate St Anne's for adding one more Certified Sous Chef to their staff.

Last year the Executive Chef and his Sous Chef were ServSafe@ Certified with high marks at RBCI. Well, "add one more for good measure" in 2011 with the passing of another Chef in our class last month. Thank you again St Anne's Belfield School for your continued commitment to excellence.

"Located near the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, St. Anne"s-Belfield offers a strong college preparatory program under the tutelage of bright and caring teachers. Small class size encourages each student to be an active participant in his education. A variety of clubs, community service as well as art athletics complete the St. Anne's Belfield experience." (www.stab.org) .

Zynodoa, "the Valley's Best New Restaurant"

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly served Executive Chef James Harris and part of his staff in our first food safety class at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence this month.CNE is located at 1701-A Allied Street here in Charlottesville,Va.

Chef Harris is the Executive Chef at Zynodoa Restaurant www.zynodoa.com in Staunton,Va ,"the Valley's Best New Restaurant". The Chef places a lot of importance on "eating local" and when ever possible uses local vendors. Everything is "made from scratch" with a personal touch that keeps the customers coming back for more.

The Zynodoa Restaurant owner's commitment to excellence and food safety did not begin with Chef Harris. They have been clients of RBCI for a few years now, sending folk to get ServSafe@ Certified above and beyond the VA state law requirements. We look forward to driving over the Blue Ridge mountains to Staunton to taste the fine cuisine at Zynodoa.

Prince William County Schools / Food Safety is Job #1

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia recently served an employee from the Prince William County School System. This was a one on one class since there was only the one person signed up. Our policy is to never cancel a food safety class as long as there is anybody registered.

What impressed me most says's Chef Ralph is the "absolute since of dedication to excellence" of this one employee. She missed the regular exam with her fellow employees although she attended the classes with them. She went online and found the nearest class to Culpeper, VA where she lives and signed up.

On Saturday the day of the class she had paid for the class herself, had to get up early, drive forty miles, and stay all day for the same stuff she had studied for weeks. However, at the end of the day the results payed off with a final exam score of over 90% on her test. She score 100% in every area except two, and those were still close.

With that kind of dedication and commitment, I would have no problems with her as the Food Service Supervisor, baking bread at my kids school. Which I was also surprised to find PWCS also prepares their own food on site and uses local produce. This is just another reason why "Virginia" is such a special place to be.

Salad Creations a great success & ServSafe@ Certified

The owner of the Salad Creations Restaurant in Harrisonburg drove to Charlottesville last month for the food safety class offered by RBCI,the Center for faith-based and community learning. We are proud to add them to our list of clients, especially because of the strong corporate culture centered around eating healthy.

Over the years we have had many opportunities to serve clients like Salad Creations and Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods certified a dozen people through our class a few years ago and now does all of their training in house. We are glad to have had the privilege to get started with them on the right side of the food safety issue.

Also from Harrisonburg was a young lady who was completing her Hospitality Management degree requirements and taking the ServSafe@ class to get her degree. No matter what the reason, we are glad to help in anyway to make sure food is served safely. So, as is our motto: "we serve our very best, one client at a time".

RBCI / new members of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia now has membership status in the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. We consider this to be a great opportunity for our staff,clients, and board members. They will gain access to a vast amount of information in a one stop environment via the many seminars and workshops offered every month by CNE.

More importantly having the privilege of holding our food safety classes at the CNE conference space at 1701-A Allied Street is an absolute blessing. Great networking opportunities are available with the many non-profits and clients there. One on one advise is also given whenever their staff and/or volunteers can help.

The ServSafe@ Food Safety class is scheduled for once a month; for information go to www.servsafe.com, or call Chef Ralph at 434-806-9762. This is a one day class with the exam given at the end of the day. Discounts are available for non-profits and low income persons through a grant from the Bama Works Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.

Procurement Services at UVa / Frank Fountain

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates Frank Fountain for passing the ServSafe@ Food Safety Course. Frank who is a Buyer Specialist for UVa Procurement Services made the highest score in last months class.

"Procurement Services is responsible for the entire procurment process for academic and adminstrative departments at the University".

For more information on procurement at the University of Virginia call 434-982-3092 or go to www.virginia.edu/procurement.