Cuisine that nurtures both the body and the soul is making its way to Maryland. Emma’s Torch, a nonprofit organization committed to serving its neighbors as both a restaurant and a resource for refugees, asylees, and survivors of trafficking, is opening a new location in Silver Spring later this year, reports Bethesda Today.
The concept’s new 1200 East West Highway storefront will serve as both a traditional eatery open to the public and as a culinary training center for Emma’s Torch students. To better understand what, precisely, that means, one must first dive into the Emma’s Torch mission statement. The company’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Joseph Lee, was kind enough to provide What Now DC with a succinct and thoughtful description of the service Emma’s Torch provides: “ Emma’s Torch is a nonprofit social enterprise, offering an 11-week program that includes both culinary training, which includes significant hands-on experience preparing orders in our cafés, and employability, equity, and empowerment training, which helps our students develop career planning and English language skills to find long-term professional success.”
The 4,500 square foot storefront will be able to serve over 60 guests and will “feature a New American menu similar to our prior location in D.C. and our two current cafés in New York.”
Emma’s Torch is an incredibly community-driven undertaking and the non-profit has invited its neighbors to take part in funding this ambitious new chapter. The cafe has launched a crowd-sourcing campaign called The Kitchen We Build Together which has garnered the attention and support of no less than celebrated chef and humanitarian José Andrés.
Emma’ Torch was founded by philanthropist and social advocate Kerry Brodie in New York in 2016. Her impressive work and impact has received multiple accolades as well as features on CNN Heroes, The Forward 50, City & State’s 40 Under 40, and 36 Under 36. Silver Springs diners can look forward to supporting her vision and helping out their neighbors all by enjoying a delicious meal when the new location opens in early summer.
