Featured in Feb. 2008 Dining Guide

Restaurants don’t start out intending to be non-profit endeavors, although many wind up that way. Positive Vibe Café is non-profit by design.

If you haven’t heard of Positive Vibe Café, crawl back under your rock and look for a newspaper. Since opening three years ago, the little café tucked in Stratford Hills Shopping Center has drawn national attention for the work it does.

Its mission, as outlined by founder Garth Larcen, is to train cognitively and physically-disabled folks for jobs in the food industry.  Meanwhile, the kitchen headed by Executive Chef Rob Hamlin turns out stellar meals. Plus, everyone goes home with full tummies and rich hearts, having contributed to the cause.

Last January, Positive Vibe celebrated its third anniversary with a two-day fete that saw local musicians, including Robbin Thompson and the Cashmere Jungle Lords, volunteering ongoing entertainment.

Chef collaboration, a cornerstone of the café, includes Jannequin Bennett, Ed Vasaio, Michael Hall, Chef Q, Travis Milton, Jim Ertel, Bob De Capri, Roger Murphy, John Maxwell and many others. 

While Hamlin directs, notable local chefs grease the rest of the operation by teaching classes (like how to cut food, not fingers), contributing menu items, helping on the line and catering, even sweeping and washing dishes.

J. Frank, one of Richmond’s best known chefs, shows up as needed. “And he just pops in from time to time, too,” said Larcen, adding that Frank has even come in at 5 a.m. to make coffee.

Frank is one of a handful of local chefs who donate their time and talent to Positive Vibe’s mission. He has always been generous about helping out. He’s delivered Meals-on-Wheels and signed up to help at the Veterans Hospital. Frank, who has manned kitchens in various parts of the world and currently is personal chef to Frances (Mrs. Sydney) Lewis, likes to sweep, police up, troubleshoot, put away clean dishes.

“The older I get, the more I want to give back,” he said.

Frank has been on board since the café was just an idea in Larcen’s head. After spotting some lapel pins touting the café-to-be at Ellwood Thompson, he called Larcen to ask what he could do to help. “I saw what they were trying to do and that it was food-related. I thought, ‘this is a great outlet,’” he said.

“If you’re removed from those who are disabled and going about your way, you don’t realize what some people are dealing with.”

Frank also has enjoyed the fun and freedom that come with making the menu. A calamari creation became “Whatchamacalamari” when Larcen put it on the menu. Once Frank put together a plate of braised bison shanks with creamy smoked Gouda grits, finished with bourbon.

“Didn’t Sinatra drink bourbon?” Larcen asked Frank.

“Shanks Sinatra” was added to the list.

Chef Hamlin, too, joined the effort well before it became a reality, not expecting to head the kitchen when it opened. He has known Larcen since both attended Virginia Tech.

“While I’d been in the private sector before, I swore I’d never open another restaurant without some deep pockets,” said the former chef of du Jour and Sam Miller’s Warehouse. “All of sudden, I was working for a non-profit.”

Hamlin has never looked back.

“With this particular mission, you can’t help but feel good, no matter how badly your day has gone, because you’re making a difference in people’s lives and you see it. When you put it in perspective, when you’re having a bad day, you see the challenges others face. It’s humbling,” he said.

VibeFest 2008 | Sunday, June 8, 2008 12 noon – 6 pm

“Take nothing for granted”

Schedule:
11:30am Goodfellas
11:50am Karma Farmers
12:10pm Offering
12:40pm Carol Covell
1:00pm Page Wilson & Reckless Abandon
1:30pm Colour Guard and National Anthem/Intro
1:50pm Gary Gerloff Band
2:20pm Chicago Cy
2:50pm Blue Line Highway
3:20pm Marna and Macy
3:50pm The Taters
4:20pm Billy Ray Hatley and the Showdogs
4:50pm Andy Bopp
5:20pm Susan Greenbaum
5:50pm Cashmere Jungle Lords

WEB | http://www.positivevibecafe.com