Roots 657

09/03/2026

Hey Roots 657 friends, missing that brisket?

Missing the smoke, the ribs, the sauces, and some of those sides you used to enjoy at Roots?

Here’s a pretty fun way to bring a little of that experience back.

Roots 657 founder, Chef Rich Rosendale, CMC, is teaching a two-day BBQ Systems & Technique class right here in Leesburg, joined on Day 2 by Ken Hess of County Smoak, one of the region’s top pitmasters.

And you do not have to be a professional chef to attend.

This class is open to anyone who loves barbecue and wants to get better at it, whether you’re cooking for friends and family in the backyard, trying to finally nail your brisket, or just want to spend two days learning from two people who have spent years perfecting the craft.

You’ll get into brisket, ribs, Alabama chicken, sauces, sides, smoker techniques, seasoning, slicing, fire management, and plenty more.

📅 September 21–22, 2026
📍 Forklift Virginia | Culinary Classes + Events
75 Lawson Rd SE, Suite 109
Leesburg, VA 20176

💥 Special price: $750

If you loved the barbecue at Roots, this is your chance to learn directly from the founder himself and bring some of those skills home.

Simply register Culinary Brands | Chef Rich Rosendale CMC link in bio to reserve your spot.

Only a few spots remain, and everyone is welcome.

09/03/2026

Looking for a place to host something in Leesburg?

We have the space for you.

Forklift is 3,600 square feet with 18-foot ceilings and an open kitchen.....up to 75 guests standing, 50 seated. Corporate dinners, rehearsal dinners and celebrations have been happening in this room for years.

What's here:
· Free parking on site
· Bose sound system
· Lavalier mic and screens for presentations
· Wi-Fi throughout
· Tables, chairs, linens, china and glassware included
· Setup, breakdown and cleaning handled
· Ground floor, step-free access
· 20 minutes from Dulles

Food and beverage, both ours, two ways to do it:

Full service through Rosendale Events NOVA, plated dinners, stationed receptions, full bar and beverage service, staff on the floor all night. When you want it handled. → rosendaleeventsnova.com

Drop-off and self-serve through Roots 657 Catering, all disposable, set out and ready to go. Same kitchen, same food, considerably less. → roots657catering.com

HOLIDAY RATE — 20% off the venue fee on November and December dates, booked by 31 October.

Weekday daytime — $750 $600
Weekday evening — $1,250 $1,000
Friday evening — $1,750 $1,400
Saturday evening — $2,500 $2,000

Company parties, client dinners, team meetings, birthdays, showers, rehearsal dinners, launches. December dates are open now — and the good nights go first.

See the space at forkliftvirginia.com or call (703) 967-8301
75 Lawson Rd SE, Suite 203, Leesburg

09/02/2026

Hey Roots 657 friends, missing that brisket?

Missing the smoke, the ribs, the sauces, and some of those sides you used to enjoy at Roots?

Here’s a pretty fun way to bring a little of that experience back.

Roots 657 founder, Chef Rich Rosendale, CMC, is teaching a two-day BBQ Systems & Technique class right here in Leesburg, joined on Day 2 by Ken Hess of County Smoak, one of the region’s top pitmasters.

And you do not have to be a professional chef to attend.

This class is open to anyone who loves barbecue and wants to get better at it, whether you’re cooking for friends and family in the backyard, trying to finally nail your brisket, or just want to spend two days learning from two people who have spent years perfecting the craft.

You’ll get into brisket, ribs, Alabama chicken, sauces, sides, smoker techniques, seasoning, slicing, fire management, and plenty more.

📅 **September 21–22, 2026**
📍 **FORKLIFT**
75 Lawson Rd SE, Suite 109
Leesburg, VA 20176

💥 **Special price: $750**

If you loved the barbecue at Roots, this is your chance to learn directly from the founder himself and bring some of those skills home.

Simply register here to reserve your spot:
https://richrosendaleshop.com/collections/classes/products/bbq-systems-and-technique-with-chef-rich-rosendale

Only a few spots remain, and everyone is welcome.

06/11/2026

Many of you know us from our years at Roots 657, and while the restaurant chapter has evolved, our passion for food, hospitality, and teaching continues every day at Forklift Virginia.

One of the most rewarding things we do is introduce young people to cooking through our culinary camps. Watching kids learn new skills, gain confidence, and create amazing dishes from scratch is something our team looks forward to every summer.

Our first Kids' Summer Culinary Camp (June 22–26) is now down to just 4 spots remaining, and our next two camp sessions are also filling up quickly.

Throughout the week, campers learn knife skills, kitchen safety, baking, pizza making, global cuisines, and more—all while having fun in a professional culinary environment.

A heartfelt thank you to the many families who have supported us over the years, from Roots 657 to Forklift Virginia. We love seeing familiar faces return and welcoming new ones into our culinary community.

If you know a young aspiring chef, we'd love to have them join us this summer.

📅 June 22–26, 2026
📍 Forklift Virginia, Leesburg
👨‍🍳 Ages 10+

Registration details can be found here:
https://richrosendaleshop.com/collections/classes

04/13/2026

We’re excited to introduce our next hands-on class at FORKLIFT VIRGINIA:
Elevated Italian Summer Dinner
June 18 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Join Rich Rosendale for an interactive evening focused on fresh pasta, seasonal ingredients, and modern Italian techniques.
Guests will prepare and enjoy a multi-course dinner featuring:
    •    Handmade corn & ricotta tortellini
    •    Shrimp scampi
    •    Roasted lemon herb chicken
    •    Seasonal bruschetta and more
This is a relaxed, small-group experience—designed to feel like a night out, not just a class.
Spots are limited.
👉 Reserve your seat:
www.richrosendaleshop.com

04/11/2026

🎉 What an incredible start to our 2026 Kids’ Culinary Camp season!

Our first session was a huge success, packed with energy, hands-on learning, and so many proud young chefs stepping up in the kitchen 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳 Huge congratulations to all of our participants!

Parents, if you missed the first class, don’t worry… but now is the time to act.

🚨 We only have a few sessions remaining this year, and they are filling up quickly:

📅 June 22–26
📅 July 13–17
📅 August 3–7

📍 Forklift Virginia | DC Metro Area

These camps are more than just cooking—they build confidence, creativity, and real culinary skills in a fun, professional environment with Chef Rich Rosendale and team.

⚠️ Limited spots available—once they’re gone, they’re gone.

👉 Secure your child’s spot today:
https://richrosendaleshop.com/collections/classes

Let’s make this a summer they’ll never forget 🔥

04/05/2026

We’re excited to introduce a new series of hands-on culinary experiences at FORKLIFT VIRGINIA, led by Certified Master Chef Rich Rosendale.
Join us for an evening of great food, technique, and connection with our Meet Chef Rosendale cooking classes. Each class is designed to be approachable, interactive, and centered around real skills you can bring into your own kitchen.
Our upcoming class, Sous Vide Secrets, focuses on one of the most powerful techniques used in professional kitchens today, teaching you how to cook steak, fish, and vegetables with precision and consistency at home.
Guests will cook alongside Chef Rosendale and enjoy a full dinner featuring the dishes prepared during the class.
We’ll also be adding additional classes this summer, including an elevated Italian workshop and a steakhouse secrets experience.
Spots are limited for each class.
👉 View upcoming classes and reserve your seat: Www.richrosendaleshop.com

Sous Vide Secrets: Cook Like a Pro at Home Thursday, April 30th, 20266:00 PM – 9:00 PM Discover the technique chefs rely on for perfect results every time. This hands-on sous vide workshop will guide you through precision cooking at home—teaching you how to achieve restaurant-quality texture, fl...