Emma's Torch

Emma's Torch Nonprofit social enterprise providing culinary training and job placement services to refugees.

Visit our cafes in Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch), and stay tuned for coming location in Silver Spring, MD! NYC based nonprofit social enterprise providing culinary training and job placement services to refugees!

The word is officially out!As we put the finishing touches on our new Silver Spring location, local headlines are alread...
06/08/2026

The word is officially out!

As we put the finishing touches on our new Silver Spring location, local headlines are already buzzing about what’s cooking at Emma’s Torch. Swipe through to see what The , The Baltimore Sun, , and The Daily Record are saying about our upcoming grand opening!

We aren't just bringing house-made chai, brown-butter pancakes, and artisanal pastries to the neighborhood; we're bringing our mission of culinary job training for refugees and asylees to Montgomery County.

We can’t wait to welcome you through our doors on June 12th!

Every café we open is another classroom.Meet Sophie, a 2024 Emma's Torch graduate. After graduation, Sophie landed a pre...
06/06/2026

Every café we open is another classroom.

Meet Sophie, a 2024 Emma's Torch graduate. After graduation, Sophie landed a prep cook role at Tatte. Within her first few months, she demonstrated such strong kitchen skills and natural leadership that she was placed in a training role.

Today, Sophie helps new prep cooks learn the menu and back-of-house procedures. She has since leveraged her good standing to advocate for herself to transfer to a location that better fits her transportation needs and offers more consistent hours.

Sophie is one of over 100 students that we served in our DC location. And on June 12th, we're opening a new door for even more students to walk through in Maryland.

We want to send a huge thank you to the team at USA for UNHCR for highlighting the work we do here at Emma's Torch withi...
06/05/2026

We want to send a huge thank you to the team at USA for UNHCR for highlighting the work we do here at Emma's Torch within the refugee community!

In the latest episode of the podcast features an amazing conversation between Suzanne Ehlers, our Chief Impact Officer, Kira O'Brien, Senior Director of Culinary Education, Chef Alexander Harris, and our wonderful alumnus who represents us at Daily Provisions, Giorgi Tabukashvili.

From our early days in Carroll Gardens to today, our mission has always been to use the culinary arts to build culture, connection, and career opportunities for refugees entering the workforce. Hearing our team and alumni share these stories, and getting the opportunity to see them resonate with listeners, reminds us of the true power of community.

Lastly, we want to extend our gratitude to our dedicated employment partners like Union Square Hospitality Group. Their commitment to hiring our graduates ensures that our students can transition from the classroom into thriving, sustainable culinary careers.

Listen to the episode here: https://www.unrefugees.org/news/2026/6/how-emma-s-torch-is-building-community-one-kitchen-at-a-time/

Silver Spring, we're ready for you! On June 12th, we're opening the doors to our brand-new café and culinary training ce...
06/02/2026

Silver Spring, we're ready for you! On June 12th, we're opening the doors to our brand-new café and culinary training center right in Silver Spring, Maryland.

We can't wait to welcome you in. Share this with your friends, your family, and anyone who likes a good cup of coffee!

📍 1200 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD

In preparation for the grand opening of our newest cafe, a huge shoutout is in order to our friends at Danica Brands for...
05/30/2026

In preparation for the grand opening of our newest cafe, a huge shoutout is in order to our friends at Danica Brands for gifting us this beautiful new plateware!

They’ve actually been behind the scenes equipping our kitchens for years now, and we are so excited to bring that same trusted quality straight to your table in Silver Spring. Beautiful food deserves a beautiful canvas, and we absolutely cannot wait to serve you our delicious meals on these gorgeous new dishes!

Supporting a student means supporting their entire ecosystem, including their family life.We are so grateful to have par...
05/29/2026

Supporting a student means supporting their entire ecosystem, including their family life.

We are so grateful to have partners like KindWorks who truly understand this mission. They were kind enough (pun absolutely intended!) to provide summer kits for our students who are balancing both education and parenthood.

Our student parents were thrilled and couldn't wait to bring these kits home to their children to help kick off a fun summer. Thank you, , for making a tangible difference in our community!

Check us out in The New York Times’ "The Routine" column featuring Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton! We love being a part...
05/26/2026

Check us out in The New York Times’ "The Routine" column featuring Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton! We love being a part of our neighborhood’s daily routine.

Whether you’re a neighbor we see every morning or just passing through NYC, our doors are open, and we'd love to be a part of your routine.

Mark and Katie, thanks for visiting, we can’t wait to see you again soon!

There’s nothing we love more than hearing from our guests that we provide exactly what they need, exactly when they need...
05/26/2026

There’s nothing we love more than hearing from our guests that we provide exactly what they need, exactly when they need it! For Jenner P. it was a solid meal after a long travel day:

"After a cross-country flight, I wanted to get food that would reenergize me and caffeine me up! I ordered seasoned fries, the crispy chicken sandwich, and a coffee – it hit the spot!"

Whether you're looking to recharge, relax, or even get some work done in a cozy atmosphere, we’ve got a table waiting for you!

There’s nothing we love more than hearing from our guests that we provide exactly what they need, exactly when they need...
05/26/2026

There’s nothing we love more than hearing from our guests that we provide exactly what they need, exactly when they need it! For Jenner P. it was a solid meal after a long travel day:

”After a cross-country flight, I wanted to get food that would reenergize me and caffeine me up! I ordered seasoned fries, the crispy chicken sandwich, and a coffee – it hit the spot!”

Whether you’re looking to recharge, relax, or even get some work done in a cozy atmosphere, we’ve got a table waiting for you!

05/22/2026

The Brooklyn Public Library will be closed for the Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23rd, through Monday, May 25th.

We will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26th.

Welcome back, students! We have officially launched our first cohort in our new Silver Spring space.We are diving into e...
05/21/2026

Welcome back, students! We have officially launched our first cohort in our new Silver Spring space.

We are diving into everything from knife skills to culinary English to prepare for our grand opening to the community (you!) in June. We can't wait to share more soon and welcome you into the new space!

Special shout-out to Chef Bri, our rockstar Senior Culinary Instructor!

Great food just hits different when it supports a great cause: take your event to the next level with Emma's Torch cater...
05/18/2026

Great food just hits different when it supports a great cause: take your event to the next level with Emma's Torch catering!

Hosting a small get-together? Big celebration? Something in between? We’ve got you. Your order supports our mission of empowering refugees through culinary education – every plate creates a pathway to opportunity, and every event helps build something bigger.

We'd love to help you create an experience your guests will remember – visit emmastorch.org/catering to learn more and start your order!

Great food just hits different when it supports a great cause: take your event to the next level with Emma’s Torch cater...
05/18/2026

Great food just hits different when it supports a great cause: take your event to the next level with Emma’s Torch catering!

Hosting a small get-together? Big celebration? Something in between? We’ve got you. Your order also supports our mission of empowering refugees through culinary education – every plate creates a pathway to opportunity, and every event helps build something bigger.

We’d love to help you create an experience your guests will remember. Visit emmastorch.org/catering to learn more and start your order!

Happy fifth Torch-iversary to Celina Rella, our Director of Social Ventures! Celina joined the team in the Spring of 202...
05/15/2026

Happy fifth Torch-iversary to Celina Rella, our Director of Social Ventures! Celina joined the team in the Spring of 2021 and during her time with us, her attention to detail and knack for creating efficient systems and processes have touched every aspect of Emma's Torch.

Celina has also coined new lingo like "posgoss" (positive gossip) — shout-outs to staff, students, and community members alike for wins and hard work. So today we are posgossing YOU, Celina! We are so grateful to work alongside you every day!

We're open for brunch this weekend! Stop by our café in Carroll Gardens with mom for a great way to celebrate Mother's D...
05/10/2026

We're open for brunch this weekend! Stop by our café in Carroll Gardens with mom for a great way to celebrate Mother's Day while supporting an important cause!

We’re open for brunch this weekend! Stop by our café in Carroll Gardens with mom for a great way to celebrate Mother’s D...
05/09/2026

We’re open for brunch this weekend! Stop by our café in Carroll Gardens with mom for a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day while supporting an important cause!

At Emma’s Torch we have a phrase called “posgoss” where we shine a light on positive gossip and celebrate wins. Today’s ...
05/06/2026

At Emma’s Torch we have a phrase called “posgoss” where we shine a light on positive gossip and celebrate wins. Today’s posgoss goes to our fantastic Five Boro Bike Tour crew who took on a 40-mile bike ride throughout New York City to raise money for our mission! Thank you bikers!!

What’s your favorite item on our new spring/summer menu? Whether it’s our black bean hummus wrap, steak and eggs, or cri...
05/04/2026

What’s your favorite item on our new spring/summer menu? Whether it’s our black bean hummus wrap, steak and eggs, or crispy chicken sandwich, every dish is the result of a thoughtful R&D process.

We start planning weeks in advance to track what you love, test new ideas, and refine flavors while staying true to the comfort and quality you expect from Emma’s Torch. Stop by our cafés to try the new menu, and let us know in the comments if there’s something you’d like to see next!

The finish line is in sight: we’ve raised over 90% of our goal for our capital campaign, The Kitchen We Build Together! ...
05/01/2026

The finish line is in sight: we’ve raised over 90% of our goal for our capital campaign, The Kitchen We Build Together! This $2.2 million initiative is fueling the build-out of our new culinary training center and café in Silver Spring, MD, and we’re grateful to everyone who has made this possible.

With support from a generous donor matching up to $75,000, every gift brings us closer to opening our new location and doubling our capacity in the DC area. Donate here: emmastorch.org/buildtogether to learn more and join our campaign.

Last call: place your gift box order by May 1 for delivery before Mother's Day! Celebrate the special moms in your life ...
04/30/2026

Last call: place your gift box order by May 1 for delivery before Mother's Day! Celebrate the special moms in your life with a versatile, curated present that supports our work, our students, and our vision for a brighter future. Visit emmastorch.org/giftbox to start your order today!

P.S. Make the occasion extra-special with Mother's Day brunch at our café in Carroll Gardens!

Psst... hey, hey you: how's your Mother's Day shopping going? There's less than two weeks to go!If you need some inspira...
04/27/2026

Psst... hey, hey you: how's your Mother's Day shopping going? There's less than two weeks to go!

If you need some inspiration, we can help: Emma's Torch gift boxes have a little something for everyone and are sure to impress! From savory snacks to comforting beverages, our boxes are a classy, cozy way to show your love for the special moms in your life while supporting an important cause. Order by May 1 to ensure sure delivery before Mother's Day – get started at emmastorch.org/giftbox!

Volunteer spotlight: meet Anjali Menon, a product designer and creative director who has been working with Emma's Torch ...
04/24/2026

Volunteer spotlight: meet Anjali Menon, a product designer and creative director who has been working with Emma's Torch since 2019! If you've ever sipped our coffee, noshed on our snacks, or opened our gift boxes, you've seen her impact: her elegant designs bring our signature packaging to life and reinforce our identity in the culinary field.

As a creative professional, Anjali specializes in elevated, story-driven design, particularly for clients that prioritize being intentional, culturally aware, and emotionally resonant. She combines a background in communication design and more than 20 years of experience to create styles that are clean, sophisticated, and contemporary for her clients' brand assets, packaging, and UI/UX needs. Check out more of her work on her website, anjalimenondesign.com!

Anjali was drawn to Emma's Torch by the strong sense of community that we foster and the pathways to opportunity that we open for our students. As a foodie herself ( is her food memory archive on Instagram) with a passion for uplifting immigrant communities, she felt a deep connection with our mission and didn't think twice about getting involved.

"Emma's Torch shows up with real, practical support, and that's something I want to be a part of over and over again," she shared. "Working with Emma’s Torch has deepened my interest in mission- and story-driven design, and I’m excited to continue collaborating with brands that approach their work with that same level of intention."

Thank you for all of your contributions to Emma's Torch, Anjali! We are so grateful that you're part of our community!

04/24/2026

”Behind!”
“Heard!”
“Hands!”
Working in a restaurant means learning when and how to use the lingo, and figuring it out “on the fly” can be a challenge when you’re starting out. That’s especially true for most Emma’s Torch students since their first language isn’t English.

To make sure our students are as ready as possible on day one of their culinary careers, our program includes not just general English proficiency (ELL) classes, but also lots of intentional opportunities to practice in real-world settings.

For , our students shared – in both English and their native languages – some of the culinary vocab they’ve picked up at Emma’s Torch and reflected on how they’ve learned to communicate across cultures. Although we all bring different traditions, experiences, and skills to the table, we can always find common ground to start building a community.

It's , and we're shouting out two of our favs! The Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library and the Inwood Branch ...
04/21/2026

It's , and we're shouting out two of our favs! The Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library and the Inwood Branch of NYPL The New York Public Library Library have been incredible hosts, partners, and friends over the years, and we're grateful for the relationships we've built!

Our library café and our kitchens and classrooms at both sites have been crucial to the success and growth of Emma's Torch, but public libraries are one of the most important resources for the entire community, so make sure you come out to support your local branch, both this week and throughout the year. And if you happen to stop by BPL's Central Branch, come say hi at our café and let us fuel your visit!

You know it, you love it, the Emma's Torch OG 😎: our Carroll Gardens café! Whether you're looking for a cozy vibe to cat...
04/19/2026

You know it, you love it, the Emma's Torch OG 😎: our Carroll Gardens café! Whether you're looking for a cozy vibe to catch up with friends, a quick stop to fuel up, a poetic patio, or a go-to brunch spot without an attitude, our flagship location at 345 Smith Street has you covered!

Address

New York, NY

Opening Hours

Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 5:30pm - 10pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm
5:30pm - 10pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

(718) 243-1222

Website

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