Emma Ruth’s Soulful Cuisine and Catering, Inc. is the dream enterprise of Mark Manigault, a local chef who has been cooking since he was a child in his mother’s kitchen. Emma Ruth’s is a tribute to Mark’s late mother who passed in 2008. She always expressed her love through her food and taught Mark how to cook with soul and love. Chef Manigault is a member of the Capital Roots incubator kitchen in Troy which allows him to utilize their Commercial Kitchen to prepare his food before heading over to the Schenectady Greenmarket. He is also a graduate of the Community Loan Fund’s 9-week Business Planning Course where he developed his business plan and strategy for Emma Ruth’s Soulful Cuisine and Catering.
Emma Ruth’s specializes in Southern Comfort food cooked with soul and love. Their menu consists of versatile and multicultural combo meals and à la carte sides. Each Sunday at the Greenmarket, Chef Manigault switches up his entrée offerings from BBQ ribs, baked chicken, beef stew and all the other soul food favorites while continuing to offer staples like baked Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens. You can find Emma Ruth’s Soulful Cuisine at Schenectady’s Greenmarket located at 432 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305 in Proctor’s Theater every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM until April 13th. Mark also plans to participate in the Spring market where he is excited to grill and smoke fresh meat on site. Emma Ruth’s menu is posted every Wednesday on Instagram.
Mark graduated from Le Cordon Bleu’s Atlanta class of 2012 where he graduated with honors and was recruited by Ritz Carlton Buckhead to provide fine dining experiences and create high quality, large volume meals. Mark worked at various hotels cooking and managing food service until 2024 when he launched Emma Ruth’s Soulful Cuisine and Catering. We’re proud of his success as a 9-week Business Course graduate and wish him continued growth in the future! Please visit his website for more information on his incredible southern comfort food.
