This month, Chef Lena and our Garde Manger chef, Jahck, have partnered on a signature dish from Jahck’s home country of Senegal... with a Union Square Cafe twist! Jahck emigrated from Senegal six months ago and immediately enrolled in a 10-week culinary training program through Emma’s Torch, a New York-based social enterprise whose mission is to empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. Since its inception, Emma’s Torch has helped over 160 people with training and job placement services in culinary-related professions in New York City. During his training at Emma's Torch, Jahck learned cooking fundamentals, communication skills, and gained on-the-job experience at various restaurants including Emma's Torch Café at the Brooklyn Public Library and Union Square Cafe. For the entire month of July, swing by Union Square Cafe to try Jahck’s Crispy Lamb Ribs with Yassa Sauce, which showcases signature Senegalese flavors. Jahck says of Yassa, “One of my earliest memories was actually not that pleasant; I was a young boy in the kitchen helping my mom and remember spilling hot oil on my foot. But nowadays, I love Yassa. It reminds me of being home, no matter where I am in the world, and that’s why I chose it as my signature dish to present at my Emma’s Torch graduation.” The sweetness of caramelized onions, heat from peppers, and zip from Dijon mustard make Yassa sauce a perfect pairing for rich lamb ribs. All proceeds from the dish will be donated to Emma’s Torch and we are thrilled that through our partnership, Jahck’s cultural heritage is spotlighted and celebrated. We hope you enjoy it too! If you’d like to learn more about the incredible work that Emma’s Torch is doing in our city, please visit www.emmastorch.org.