Before joining the faculty at FDU, Avella held the position of vice president at the Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Center, and at Windows on the World, World Trade Center, in New York City, and at Marriott, where he was vice president for human resources. He directed the operations of the Ryland Inn, Whitehouse, NJ, rated by Gourmet magazine as one of America s best restaurants. A founder of the Federation of Dining Room Professionals, he has been active in the industry since 1977. Certification courses at the Center train and develop service professionals, service trainers and dining-room managers. Each course consists of 24 hours of classroom time with assignments outside the classroom.
All programs end with a certification process of testing and demonstration.
Individuals as well as groups are welcome in this program. Our programs can be customized and we are able to deliver them at locations convenient to the employers, in addition to having classes on FDU campuses. The Center is able to conduct focused service training in a pre-opening or a new opening setting. In our industry, many people work for minimum wage. If they had solid training and certification, they would be able to significantly increase their income by working as a service professional in an upscale restaurant or dining facility.