Brandon Chrostowski is an American chef, restaurateur, and politician currently residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute!

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Edwins is a nonprofit culinary institute and restaurant organization that gives formerly incarcerated individuals the tools necessary to build up their culinary, hospitality, and leadership skills. Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute was established in 2007. It is a free, 6‑month culinary and hospitality training program that teaches formerly incarcerated individuals the fundamentals of culinary arts. In addition, Edwins is dedicated to providing a support network that helps integrate individuals for successful reentry into the workforce.

 

Founder Brandon Chrostowski believes that “Every human being, regardless of their past, has the right to a fair and equal future.” He hopes to continue building up Edwins in a way that is beneficial to the individuals who go through the program and, more broadly, to the community of Cleveland by championing second chances and compassion.The nonprofit goes above and beyond by also assisting its students with finding future employment, offering free housing, legal services, basic medical care, clothing, literacy programs, and much more. It has a turnover of around 100 new students each year. Once graduates finish the program and are released from prison, they can choose to continue working with Edwins or move on to some of Cleveland’s other finest restaurants.

 

Much of the inspiration and success of Edwins can be attributed to Brandon Chrostowski’s commitment to building up a network of like‑minded individuals with the same values and mission. This has been followed by strong community work around Cleveland with the idea of emphasizing that incarceration is not the end. People can have futures after incarceration, and Edwins gives people a starting point and a second chance that others might not offer.Edwins has had a successful placement program where more than 90% of individuals who went through the program and worked in the kitchen were able to find work outside of the scope of Edwins.Edwins does not just have a great impact on those who work there—it also makes a positive impact on the world at large by setting an example for others to follow. Edwins has been able to successfully adhere to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by providing quality education to its students, reducing inequality by giving individuals a second chance, and paving a pathway away from poverty and toward upward mobility.