This restaurant is entirely run by refugees and asylum seekers

The Internet can sometimes seem like a dark place, but every so often it brings heart-warming stories into public view.

Beyond serving delicious seasonal food, Brooklyn restaurant Emma’s Torch doubles as a training program for refugees.

Founder Kerry Brodie’s idea started as a pop-up after she began volunteering at a homeless shelter, where her favourite part of the day was serving breakfast.

The women in the shelter would talk about cooking and the food from home. I became intrigued by the idea of using food to do more than just feed people. Maybe we could use food to nourish and empower them.

After quitting her job with Human Rights Campaign, she went to culinary school and graduated in 2017.

The restaurant provides a professional development program for refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of human trafficking. Attendees undertake a two-month paid apprenticeship providing culinary training, English lessons, and following graduation, a job in the restaurant.

If the restaurant’s ethos isn’t enough reason to stop by Emma’s Torch if you’re in Brooklyn, check out the food on offer.

More: The single mother who opened her home to refugees 'and doesn't regret it for a moment'