In the bustling borough of Brooklyn, a unique culinary initiative is changing lives by teaching refugees the art of restaurant work. This isn’t just about cooking—it’s about providing a lifeline and a new beginning in the land of opportunity.
Since 2016, a non-profit culinary training center has been transforming the lives of over 400 refugees. It’s not just a classroom—they run three cafes, with two in Brooklyn and one in Washington, D.C., offering real-world experience to prepare graduates for jobs as prep cooks, line cooks, bakers, and baristas. “The training is informed by our employment partners, ensuring that our students can begin new careers,” explains the founder, Kerry Brodie.
For many trainees, language barriers are a significant hurdle. Therefore, the program includes English classes alongside culinary training to help them communicate better and feel more at home in their new environment. The 11-week program offers full-time wages, even when students are learning language skills in class. Graduates earn about $7,000 throughout their training.
The idea for this remarkable project sparked while Brodie was volunteering at a homeless shelter. She saw firsthand how food could be a unifying force, inspiring community and connection. With a passion stirred by such experiences and a culinary education, she opened the doors of opportunity for countless individuals through Emma’s Torch.
The training covers vital kitchen skills, customer service, and point-of-sale systems, offering a solid foundation for aspiring chefs. Despite not mastering English, students learn through video demonstrations and hands-on practice in the cafes. The cafes, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., serve a variety of dishes, where students apply their classroom knowledge in a bustling kitchen environment.
Emma’s Torch boasts a 90% employment rate post-graduation, aided by partnerships with restaurant employment agencies. Employers like The Marlow Collective, a Brooklyn-based restaurant group, have welcomed several graduates into their kitchens. “Their graduates come to us with strong job preparedness and basic cooking skills,” says Elizabeth Murray, who oversees operations there.
This initiative not only equips refugees with necessary job skills but also enriches the local culinary scene with diverse flavors. In 2025, the program plans to expand, opening a new catering facility in Manhattan, thus helping more students and broadening their impact. “Watching our students achieve their career goals and seeing their pride is what excites me,” Brodie shares with a smile.
Emma’s Torch stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, utilizing the universal language of food to foster community and provide a fresh start. Through dedicated training and real-world experience, it not only transforms lives but also enriches the culinary landscape with new, diverse flavors.
Source: Forbes
