Emma’s Torch: How Kerry Brodie is Changing Lives — One Dish at a Time

On a quiet, leafy corner in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, sits a restaurant whose mission extends far beyond the plates that leave its kitchen. Emma’s Torch is known among locals for its warm hospitality and thoughtful dishes, but what makes it extraordinary isn’t just what’s on the menu — it’s who’s in the kitchen.

Founded by Kerry Brodie, Emma’s Torch is part neighborhood café, part culinary classroom, and part career launchpad for refugees starting new lives in the United States. Through its innovative approach, the restaurant offers paid culinary training that helps newcomers gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to build sustainable futures in their new communities.

The Story Behind Emma’s Torch: From Policy to Plates

Unlike many restaurateurs, Kerry Brodie didn’t grow up in bustling kitchens or come from a family of chefs. Her early career was rooted in policy and nonprofit work. It was during this time that she encountered refugees struggling to find meaningful employment — despite their talent, resilience, and potential.

Moved by the stories she heard, Brodie began to dream up a new kind of solution: what if a restaurant could be more than just a place to eat? What if it could serve as a training ground for people rebuilding their lives far from home?

With this vision, she traded policy briefs for chef’s whites, enrolling at the Institute of Culinary Education. There, she immersed herself in the fundamentals, shadowing chefs and working behind the line for the first time. By 2018, Emma’s Torch opened its doors in Brooklyn — its name a nod to Emma Lazarus, whose famous poem welcomes newcomers at the Statue of Liberty.

A Culinary Philosophy Rooted in Empowerment

At Emma’s Torch, the food is important — but the people are everything. The restaurant’s training program provides students with hands-on experience in a professional kitchen, culinary English lessons, resume workshops, and job placement assistance.

Students come from across the globe — from conflict zones, refugee camps, and regions torn by political or natural crises. For many, the kitchen becomes a place of possibility: a space where they can learn new skills, gain financial independence, and feel a sense of belonging in a city that can often feel overwhelming.

Dishes at Emma’s Torch reflect this global diversity. The ever-evolving menu weaves together flavors from students’ home countries alongside comforting New American staples. The result is a dining experience that tells a story of resilience and cultural exchange.

What’s on the Menu: A Taste of Home and Hope

Part of what makes a meal at Emma’s Torch so special is knowing that each dish carries a deeper meaning. Guests might find hearty lentil soups inspired by Middle Eastern kitchens, West African stews with rich, warming spices, or pastries hinting at Eastern European traditions.

The menu is small but thoughtful, often highlighting seasonal produce and local ingredients. Classics like roasted chicken with herb jus sit comfortably next to vibrant salads, fragrant rice dishes, or slow-cooked vegetables with unexpected bursts of flavor.

For brunch, which has become a favorite among Brooklyn locals, expect fluffy omelets, freshly baked scones, and coffee that fuels hours of conversation. It’s the kind of place where regulars linger at communal tables and newcomers feel at home after the first warm greeting.

Community, One Meal at a Time

While Emma’s Torch runs like a well-oiled restaurant, its heartbeat is community impact. Every month, a new cohort of students graduates from the program, moving on to jobs in some of New York City’s top kitchens and food businesses.

Brodie and her team work closely with industry partners to secure placements that match each graduate’s skills and ambitions. Many alumni go on to become line cooks, pastry assistants, and even sous chefs — building stable careers that support their families and contribute to the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

The restaurant’s model has inspired chefs and restaurateurs across the country to rethink what hospitality can mean. It proves that a business can be both profitable and purposeful, blending good food with real social change.

The Challenges — And the Triumphs

Running a restaurant is never easy — but running one with a mission layered on top brings extra hurdles. Recruiting students, balancing training with daily service, and fundraising to keep tuition free all require relentless effort.

Yet, these challenges are exactly what keep Emma’s Torch resilient and creative. The pandemic tested the program’s flexibility, pushing it to launch meal delivery, virtual training, and community partnerships that kept both students and customers connected through an uncertain time.

Today, with the city’s dining scene roaring back, Emma’s Torch continues to grow — hosting pop-ups, special dinners, and collaborations that expand its reach and impact.

A Ripple Effect Beyond Brooklyn

Perhaps the greatest testament to Emma’s Torch is its alumni network. Graduates stay in touch, return to mentor new students, and share stories of how one small Brooklyn restaurant changed the course of their lives.

Brodie often says that the restaurant is proof of what happens when a community decides to welcome and invest in newcomers. Each dish served is more than a meal — it’s an invitation to be part of a bigger story, one where kitchens become spaces of hope, resilience, and new beginnings.

Conclusion: A Restaurant With a Purpose

In a city bursting with ambitious restaurants and culinary trends, Emma’s Torch stands out because it dares to do more than feed people — it empowers them. For diners, every meal comes with a sense of connection: a chance to break bread while breaking barriers.