RBC Institute, Inc.

Terrie Sission / Top graduate / of all ServSafe Classes in 2011

2012-02-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates Chef Terrie Sission for being the top ServSafe@ Certification Graduate in 2011 with a perfect score on her exam in every category. Terrie teaches Culinary Arts and cooking classes at the Mona Lisa Pasta Place on Preston Avenue in downtown Charlottesville.

She contributed so much to the class after arriving late, and then promptly leaving to go get a cup of coffee from C-Ville Coffee next door. It was like let's not take all day,Ok, I mean let's just do this now. We really enjoyed her modesty but yet happy spirit making the class a "piece of cake"!

Holiday Inn- North / ServSafe@ Certified

2012-02-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to thank Charles Friend, the Holiday Inn /General Manager and Executive Chef Nathaniel Garland for their commitment to excellence. Mr Friend supported Chef Garland's recent decision to train the entire food service staff in food safety starting with the re-certification of Chef Garland himself.

Chef Ralph Brown and crew look forward to the challenge in 2012 of training as many local restaurant and hotel workers as possible. There is a lot of growth scheduled to happen near this hotel,they are going to be twice as busy with all the new shops and stores going up across the street real soon.

New Culinary Arts Program Planned / PVCC

2011-12-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-16T23:21:00.000-08:00

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 "find-a-class" and type 22903. RBC Institute,Inc and our President Ralph Brown Sr wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Red Roof Inn / GM gets ServSafe@ Certified

2011-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-31T05:21:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-21T13:46:00.002-07:00

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!

2011-06-10T23:36:00.001-07:00

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"?

2011-06-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-04-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-04-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-14T01:57:00.000-07:00

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".

2011-04-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-04-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-03-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-01-06T04:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Chef Ralph / "Toys for Tots" at K Mart

2010-11-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to thank Chef Ralph Brown and the many brave Americans that have served our country well.

Especially during this 2010 Holiday Season in support of the Annual "Toys for Tots" Campaign. As a part of that mission Chef Ralph joined with other volunteers at the local K Mart store in Charlottesville on "Black Friday" to collect toys for needy children.

In addition to the US Marine Corps, and the US Navy servicemen(in uniform);there were volunteers for both the US Air Force and the US Army. This was a very successful campaign and we thank all of the volunteers and customers who participated with generous donations and toys.

Chef Ralph / "Proud Member" / ACF

2010-11-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia.is proud to announce that our Certified Food Safety Instructor Chef Ralph Brown Sr is a "proud member" of the American Culinary Federation. In fact Chef Ralph has been a member of the ACF and the local Blue Ridge Chefs Association since 2003.

The ACF has over 10,000 members around the world, and is "the Authority On Cooking In America". Congratulations to Chef Ralph for his continued commitment to excellence.

Keshia Barnett, New Administrative Assistant / Apprentice / RBC Institute

2010-10-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia takes great pleasure in welcoming Keshia Barnett Wert as our newest Apprentice and Staff Volunteer. Keshia will serve as an Administrative Assistant to Chef Ralph Brown Sr, and supervise many of our non-profit and catering functions.

Keshia passed the ServSafe@ Manager Certification Course last month and will join the American Culinary Federation (ACF) on November 1, 2010. Her goal is to become a Personal Chef and to own and her own business. She has already assisted Chef Brown with local functions like the VOP Social Justice Bowl, we are very proud of her performance.

Congratulations again to Keshia for making such a very fine and positive career choice.

RBCI is Piedmont Workforce Network /Certified for 2010

2010-10-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia announces re-certification by the Piedmont Workforce Network for the period 2010-2011. The RBC Institute, Inc is a certified and approve State-wide Training Provider in the Workforce Network.

We currently only certify clients in one course that is a food safety course called ServSafe@ Manager Certification owned by the National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC. How ever we look forward to expanding our course offerings in the future.

For more information on the Piedmont Workforce Network go to www.piedmontworkforce.net .

Congratulations /ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers

2010-09-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates the Cafe at ACAC. This is a great place to eat without leaving the building, and now the manager of the cafe is ServSafe@ Certified.

ACAC has three fitness & wellness centers to serve clients in the Charlottesville area, acac albemarle square, acac downtown, and acac crozet. They have a number of classes to serve you, and all classes are included with your acac membership. We wish ACAC and its members much success in their quest for wellness. Website: www.acac.com

St Anne's & Fabio's NY Pizza III / ServSafe@ Certified

2010-09-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia celebrate with the new owners of Fabio's NY Pizza III. We also say thank you for allowing us to certify your Management staff through our ServSafe@ Food Safety Course. We wish you much success in this new venture, we are certain that you are off to a good start.

We also thank the folk at the St Anne's Belfield School for sending their Executive Chef and his Sou Chef to last months class. Congratulations on your brand new state-of-the-arts kitchen facility for grades k-12. We look forward to serving you and your staff in the future. We appreciate your commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards for the children of the Charlottesville area community.

Honey Baked Ham Store / & ServSafe@ Certification

2010-08-24T01:29:00.001-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly announces new Honey Baked Ham Store coming to Rio Hill in Charlottesville,VA. Thanks to Chef Ralph Brown Sr, all of the management employees and the owner are now ServSafe@ Certified.

Honey Baked Ham's is the proud sponsor of our Annual Banquet scheduled for Friday, November 19, 2010, 6:30PM, at Westminister Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville,VA. All proceeds go to "Toys for Tots" and the Community Builders Network of Virginia /Youth Scholarship fund.

Congratulations / Fry's Spring Station

2010-05-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia and Chef Ralph would like to congratulate the Owners, Staff and Management of the new Fry's Spring Station.

The management team of this brand new restaurant in Charlottesville near the University of Virginia are all ServSafe@ Certified thanks to Chef Ralph Brown Sr. The partners of this venture have a long standing commitment to serving food safely.

All of the other management team at their sister restaurant the Downtown Grille also have ServSafe@ Certificates from RBC Institute Inc. We wish them the very best in their continued effort to serving good and safe food to our community.

For more information on the Fry's Spring Station story read the May 2010 issue of the C-ville Weekly. ServSafe@ is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation / NRA Solutions, LLC.

Sign up for ServSafe@ / Mail / Paypal

2010-05-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia wishes to remind clients that they can sign up for the ServSafe@ Food Safety Class by mail or on line via paypal. Just download the application in English or Spanish, write a check, & mail it to RBC Institute, Inc, P O Box 6607, Charlottesville, VA 22906

Or you may scroll to the bottom of this page and using your debit or credit card just follow the prompts for what you want. Or call Chef Brown for instructions at 434-806-9762.

New ServSafe@ Classes/ Fredricksburg, VA

2010-05-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly announces new ServSafe Classes are schedule for Summer 2010 in Fredericksburg,VA. Camille's Sidewalk Cafe will host ServSafe@ Manager Certification classes every first friday in the month starting June 4, 2010.

The classes will be taught by Chef Ralph Brown Sr, and will start at 8:00AM and last until 5:00PM. Camille's owners were ServSafe certified by Chef Ralph in 2008, and we look forward to offering this opportunity to other Food Service businesses in the area.

You may enroll in the class via credit or debit card by simply scrolling to the bottom of this page, and follow the prompts. Or email Chef Ralph at revrbrown@yahoo.com for questions or more information. Recent graduates of the Downtown Grill class boast 100% passing rate, like Chef Ralph says "nobody fails my class".

PVCC hosts International Food Festival 2010

2010-04-08T03:42:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning in Charlottesville, Virginia supports the PVCC International Food Festival with Chef Ralph and students. Chef Ralph and his crew cooked up some "Soul Food" for the event, and made omelette's to order for the hungry guests.

This is an annual event that show cases International cuisine from around the world. Special thanks to Angie and Oscar Jefferson ,Brenda Smith, Terrence Alston, Nathaniel Jackson, and other volunteers and contributors.

The first time Chef Ralph cooked for this event was in 2004 with PVCC student Savithri Lankatilleke to support tsunami relief in Sri Lanka. Savithri graduated in 2005; this years effort was to support the BSA Club at PVCC.

UVa Campus Kitchen serves food to the poor in Charlottesville

2010-03-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates "the new UVa Campus Kitchen". The DC Central Kitchen in Washington,D.C. is growing into the Charlottesville Community. Students from the University of Virginia are now doing volunteer work in the Charlottesville Community at the Salvation Army and the Hope House.

Chef Ralph takes local kids to VA Capital Hill

2010-02-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia wishes to thank Chef Ralph for taking kids on trip to the Virginia General Assembly Building in Jan 2010. As a Representative of the Community Builders Network of Va, Rev Brown and Rev Richard Walker were in Richmond, Va for ML King's Birthday Jan 18, 2010

The day long trip included a tour of the General Assembly Building,visiting Senator's and Delegate offices, and a photo opp with local Delegate David Toscano. Then there was a lunch meeting at the beautiful Downtown Omni Hotel where the young folk get to experience fine dinning. This is a Annual event for CBN with the hope of raising more awareness for funding for Youth Prevention Programs in Virginia

CBN / Toys for Tots 2009 Fund Drive

2009-11-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

RBC Institute,Inc, Whole Foods Market, and the Downtown Grille sponsored the 2009 Toys for Tots 2009/ Community Builders Network of VA Fund Drive, Nov 20,2009,at Westminster Church. All proceeds go to the local Toys for Tots chapter.

Special thanks to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, staff for their assistance in making this event a real success. Andrea Copeland hosted the event, and it will be aired on the local public access channel.

Mercado World Foods / ServSafe Certified

2009-11-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to thank the employees of Mercado World Foods,in Charlottesville, VA for signing up, and passing the ServSafe Certification Course.

Recent graduates of the class taught by Chef Brown demonstrate that the Hispanic population care just as much about food safety as the rest of the world. Ana choose to take the test in Spanish, and this turned out to be a wise choice for her.

Congratulations, and we wish you the very best, and have a "Happy Thanksgiving Holiday".

St Anne's School/ ServSafe @ Certified

2009-10-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly serves St Anne's Belfield School. Chef Ralph Brown is pleased to announce that he had the pleasure of being the Instructor for the current Chef for St Anne's Belfield School last month.

The staff and management paid to have Chef Johnathan Boroughs take and pass the ServSafe@ Manager Certification course with a high score. Thus continuing our goal of bringing, and maintaining the level of excellence in food service for the Charlottesville Commnity. Thank you St Anne's for your continued commitment to food safety for your students, teachers, and staff.

Region 1/Community Builders Network of VA Conference

2009-08-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly presents the 2nd Region One/Community Builders Network of VA Conference, Friday, November 20, 2009 in Charlottesville, VA.

"Save the Date", the event is a banquet style event scheduled to be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville,VA 22903, from 6PM til 9PM.

There will be musical guests and Community Builders Network Speakers from across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tickets for the event will go on sale October 15th, and seating is limited. The theme for this years conference is "Creating Tomorrows Young Leaders Today".

The keynote speaker will be our own Colonel Ronald Matthews, Superintendent of the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail, located here in Charlottesville, VA.

This years honorary C H Brown Memorial Award will go to Church of God In Christ, Evangelist Missionary Martha Johnson-Walker for her contributions and many years of service to the Charlottesville Albemarle Community. Her daughter Perrie was the last recipient of this award for serving as Youth Representative for the Community Builders Network of Virginia 2004-2008.

Martha was a long time employee for the City of Charlottesville, Parks & Recrection Department: where she developed the annual "Hoops for Tots" Christmas event. She was a site supervisor at both Tonsler and Washington Park locations. She is the founder of the local Music Resource Center Program located in the old Mt Zion Baptist Church.

Farmington Country Club : Mission Statement

2009-04-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia proudly serves the Farmington Country Club.

"Farmington Country Club is a traditional, family-oriented private club with a proud history, rich traditions, and commitment to the customs of southern hospitality and gracious living"

Last month Chef Brown proudly served as the ServSafe Instructor for the Executive Chef of the Farmington Country Club. The Executive Chef intends to become a ServSafe Instructor himself, and administers the class to as many persons on his staff as he deems necessary. While this may bring about some competition for Chef Brown in the Charlottesville market.

Our attitude is "bring it on", ServSafe@ Food Safety is a good tradition for the Farmington Country Club to add to it's many other fine traditions. Congratulations to the Management, Staff and the Executive Chef of the Farmington Country Club, ServSafe Manager Certification from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation was an excellent choice. www.Farmingtoncc.com

ServSafe@ Food Safety online course

2009-04-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia wants you to know that the ServSafe@ Food Safety course may be taken online. This may indeed be the best option for those persons with a schedule to busy to sit through an eight hour class. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation still require that the course exam be proctored by a Certified Instructor, but that can take as little as a half hour.

So for the convenience of those persons who spend a lot of time at their computer, and have a little extra money to spend, log on to the www.servsafe.com website and follow the prompts. Take the course, purchase an online seat number and call Chef Brown. Last month Chef Brown was able to proctor an online student in his office while administering the regular monthly students paper exam. Our next scheduled class is May 17,2009 at the VOP Building, 703 Concord Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Yolanda at Taco Bell/ Taco Bell

2009-02-25T19:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-04T18:25:00.000-08:00

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".

Workforce Network Certification /Training Provider

2009-01-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia is a certified training provider for the VA Workforce Network. For the last five years Chef Ralph Brown Sr and the RBC Institute have reported data each year as a workforce network training provider. This certification is for the ServSafe Manager Certification Course given statewide to anyone seeking employment training. So if you are seeking employment in the foodservice industry consider getting ServSafe@ Certified.

Welcome/ New Instructors for 2009

2009-01-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia would like to welcome new Instructors coming on board in 2009. There will be a number of new Instructors joining our ranks in both the food service industry classes and in the focus on faith-based christian leadership.

"Reginald Winstead "is one of three instructors who conduct ServSafe certification courses for RAMW (Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington), according to their newsletter "the Cloak Room. Reggie holds advanced degrees in secondary school education and administration. He served also as an adjunct faculty member in the business department at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia.

Following retirement from the U.S. Army he served as senior program manager and Vice president with reputable government contractors in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In that capacity, he gave numerous award-wining presentations to high level government and private sector officials. For over 16 years Reggie has conducted numerous ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification coures within the U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps Community.

Reggie has been conducting ServSafe food safety manager training for RAMW for over three years and has a student passing rate of 85%". "Welcome" Reginald Winstead, we can hardly wait for you first class for RBC Institute in 2009.

PACEM at Holy Temple Church/ "A Great success"

2009-01-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia and Holy Temple Church, hosted the PACEM Women December 27, 2008-January 3, 2009. The only way to describe the nearly week long effort is to say, "it was a great success".

RBC Institute, Inc supplied the food, and Chef Brown cooked breakfast and dinner each night. Volunteer Missionary Martha Walker stayed in the church each night to supervise and attend to the needs of the homeless women. They all seemed to enjoy the good, hot, home-cooking, and the old fashion southern hospitality at the Holy Temple Church. There is more information available on PACEM available at www.pacemshelter.org

End of year success/ 2008 ServSafe Graduates

2009-01-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

The Center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia congratulates employees of three great hospitality and food service giants for passing the ServSafe@ food safety course.

In our final class of the year employees for the Courtyard by Marriott University/ Medical Center, Red Robin (Charlottesville & Richmond), and the IHOP (Zion Crossroads), all successfully completed and passed the ServSafe Manager Certification class taught by Chef Ralph Brown Sr.

There were two other outstanding managers in the class who passed, Sylvia Stoneberger, Manager of the Daily Grind in Fredericksburg,Va, and Vanessa Easter, Manager of the La Taza Coffeehouse here in Charlottesville, Va. We are grateful for the commitment to excellence that all of these businesses have in this tough economic time. They are to be commended for their desire to provide the very best training, and to keep their customers safe.

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

2008-12-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

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"

2008-11-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-10-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-09-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-27T00:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Upcoming Events

2007-04-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

RBC Institute will be hosting a forum on June 8th at 6pm at the Monticello Convention Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. The forum will focus on four areas of interest to our local community: youth, housing, elderly and social justice. The youth focus will be a presentation from Youth Venture (youthventure.org/). The housing presentation will be a presentation on the dynamics of living in public housing in Charlottesville. A panel will discuss aging gracefully in Charlottesville. The social justice presentation will look at the new movement that is sweeping the country to engage persons serving in social justice which is locally sponsored by IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together). A buffet prepared by the students from the DASH after-school program will sustain us during throughout the forum.

The Potato Project

2007-04-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Potato Project through the Society of St. Andrew delivers slightly imperfect sweet potatoes to low income housing areas, local churches, and other neighborhoods through the auspices of C. H. Brown Christian Center.

ServSafe® Manager Certification Training

2007-04-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

This course prepares food service managers, who need food safety training to prepare for certification, recertification, or to refresh knowledge of accepted food safety practices. You review current updates to the FDA Food Code, as well as industry best practices. The certification exam is administered at the end of the course.

The next ServSafe® class will be held at the Fredericksburg, Virginia campus of Germanna Community College on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007.

Hospitality and Restaurant Management: ManageFirst

2007-04-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

To make better restaurant, hospitality and food service managers, professionals need the best tools. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has designed this class to complement the ServSafe® class. The course is designed to be comprehensive and relevant, preparing you for the needs of the restaurant, hospitality, and food service industry. There is strong emphasis on interpersonal communication, ethics, and a list of competency-based topics reflecting real-world needs of this dynamic industry. You are also provided with management and leadership practice.

The first of four consecutive ManageFirst® classes will start April 27th at Robinson's Tavern in Locust Grove, Virginia. All classes are taught through the auspices of Germanna Community College.

New Beginning

2007-04-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

RBC Institute, Inc is a center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Our service region runs from Charlottesville north to Washington, DC including the communities of Harrisonburg, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Locust Grove, Dumfries and Manassas. We provide services in food industry jobs, low-income housing, and religious training. We deliver services through a series of conferences, seminars and workshops held throughout the region.