Emma’s Torch is a professional full-service caterer dedicated to delivering exceptional events while empowering our students. We provide real-world culinary and hospitality opportunities for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking, giving them a supportive environment to grow their skills and build sustainable careers in the United States.

When you book with us, you’re not only ensuring a polished, seamless event — you’re investing in meaningful social impact.

Our full-service catering covers everything you need for a thoughtfully executed event:

• Food and beverage

• Staffing

• Setup and breakdown

• Rentals (tables, chairs, place settings, etc.)

• New York City (all five boroughs)

• Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV)

We have trusted partners who we work with to bring your vision to life. Please inquire directly for catalogs or more information.

We provide professional event staffing including servers, bartenders, and event captains. These experienced hospitality professionals are essential to delivering a seamless event.

Emma’s Torch students contribute exclusively behind the scenes in the kitchen, gaining real-world experience to develop their culinary and professional skills in a supportive environment alongside our own culinary team.

Yes! Our bar packages include:

• Open wine & beer

• Sparkling toasts

• Bespoke cocktails

• Full spirits bar with house cocktails

• Non-alcoholic and mocktail bars

We can tailor the beverage service to fit your vision.

Absolutely! We offer a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and can accommodate many allergies with advance notice.

Yes — you may bring a cake or celebratory dessert. There is a $5 per person cake cutting and serving fee.

No — outside alcohol is not allowed.
However, if there’s a particular wine, or beer you’re hoping to serve, we’re happy to look into sourcing it for your event. 

Tastings are available weekdays from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM at our cafes for $50 per person.

If you have already booked your event with us, the tasting fee will be waived. We also waive the tasting fee if you decide to confirm your booking within 48 hours after your tasting.

Yes! We offer a selection of our small-batch pantry and shelf-stable beautifully packaged items as party favors.

If you’d like to share the Emma’s Torch experience with your guests, please contact us to inquire about customizable party favor packages.

We recommend booking as early as possible, ideally at least 4 months prior to your event date.

A signed agreement and a 60% deposit are required to confirm and hold your date.

Final guest counts are due 30 business days (approximately 4 weeks) before your event date. This is the minimum guaranteed count for billing purposes.

• Cancel 60+ days before the event: Refund of deposit minus 20% processing fee

• Cancel within 30 days: Deposit is non-refundable

• Cancel within 15 days: 100% of total event cost is due

Yes. Emma’s Torch is fully insured and will provide documentation upon request. Clients may be asked to provide proof of general liability insurance depending on venue requirements.

Contracts must be signed and a valid credit card on file to confirm your booking. Final balance is due 48 hours prior to event load-in.

Email us at catering@emmastorch.org to begin planning your event. We’ll guide you through menus, rentals, staffing, and timelines.