Emma's Torch

Inspired by the poet and refugee advocate Emma Lazarus, whose words adorn the Statue of Liberty, Emmaʼs Torch was founded in 2016 as a non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking by providing essential culinary-focused training to gain meaningful employment. Through our kitchens, graduates have learned cooking techniques and professional skills that have taken them into full-time positions with some of the New York and DC's most-lauded food service and hospitality businesses. Our Culinary Director, Chef Alexander Harris, crafts seasonal menus for the restaurant & catered events rooted in his culinary background and extensive experience in some of the North Eastʼs most heralded kitchens.