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Brandon Chrostowski
Chrostowski cooking at the James Beard House in New York City
Born
Brandon Edwin Chrostowski

Detroit, Michigan
Alma materThe Culinary Institute of America
Occupations
  • Chef
  • Restaurateur
  • Politician
Known forFounder and President of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute
Websiteedwinsrestaurant.org

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, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that acts as both a French restaurant and a culinary institute located in Cleveland's Shaker Square. It trains and is staffed largely by former prison inmates and was the subject of the 2017 Academy Award-nominated documentary short, Knife Skills. Chrostowski is also a certified sommelier and a fromager. He ran for mayor of Cleveland in 2017.

Early life and education

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Chrostowski was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan.[1][2] When he was 18, he was charged with resisting arrest after originally being suspected of a drug-related offense.[3] A judge could have imposed a 10-year prison term but instead sentenced Chrostowski to one year of probation.[4] Soon after this, he began working with Detroit chef, George Kalergis, who became his mentor.[5][6] This led him to The Culinary Institute of America in New York where he earned an associate's degree in culinary arts and a bachelor's degree in business and restaurant management.[7][8]

Career

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2000–2007: Early career in Chicago, Paris, and New York

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After finishing his studies, Chrostowski apprenticed under Charlie Trotter at his namesake restaurant (Charlie Trotter's) in Chicago.[9][10] He then moved to France where he worked under Jean Bardet in Tours[11] and Alain Senderens in Paris. For six months, he held a position at the entree chaud and patisserie station at Senderens' Paris restaurant, Lucas Carton. Around 2005, he returned to the United States, working as saucier at Terrance Brennan's Manhattan restaurant, Picholine.[9][12] He also worked in the kitchens at Le Cirque and Chanterelle in Manhattan.[10] He worked his way up to manager at the latter restaurant, which was owned by Karen and David Waltuck.[9][13]

In 2007, Chrostowski incorporated the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute. He had originally written a business plan for the organization in 2004 with the goal of offering professional culinary training, housing, clothing, counseling, and life-skills classes to current and former inmates.[4][10][14] The name comes from Chrostowski's own middle name (Edwin), which he inherited from his grandfather. It is also shorthand for "Education Wins."[15][16] Chrostowski moved to Cleveland in around 2008.[9][17] While there, he earned a job as a manager at the French brasserie, L'Albatros. He would later become the restaurant's sommelier, fromager, and general manager.[9][11][14]

2008–2016: Life in Cleveland and founding EDWINS

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While working at L'Albatros, Chrostowski began to raise money for his EDWINS venture via fundraisers and private donations.[9][17] Initially, he developed an EDWINS program for currently imprisoned inmates at the Grafton Correctional Institution and the Northeast Pre-Release Center,[7][9] which he began in 2011.[10][18] In September 2012, Chrostowski publicly revealed his business plan in an effort to garner more donations.[14] In March 2013 at a TED Talk in Cleveland, he gave a speech about the difficulties former inmates face after being released from prison. He also announced that he would resign from his position at L'Albatros to focus exclusively on EDWINS.[17][19] In July 2013, he purchased a building in Cleveland's Shaker Square and began renovating it to accommodate the restaurant and training center.[9] The restaurant opened in November 2013 and was staffed by around 55 former inmates at its outset.[20] A total of about 80 students entered the initial class with about 35 "graduating" the six-month program.[21][22]

By September 2015, the program had graduated 89 students.[23] In November of that year, Chrostowski was listed on Crain's Cleveland Business' "Forty Under 40" list.[5] In March 2016, he was named one of 25 CNN Heroes for that year.[15][24] In August 2016, the EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills Center—a campus composed of three buildings with dormitories, a library, a test kitchen, and fitness center—was completed. Chrostowski had acquired the buildings for the project in Cleveland's Buckeye neighborhood in July 2015. The center is reserved for current members and alumni of the EDWINS program.[23][25][26] In January 2017, Chrostowski appeared on an episode of Steve Harvey where he was honored as one of "Harvey's Heroes."[27]

2017–present: Mayoral run and restaurant expansion

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In February 2017, Chrostowski announced his candidacy for the Mayor of Cleveland.[2] To focus on his campaign, he took a leave of absence from EDWINS, appointing Tom Nobbe to temporarily fill his role.[4] In the September primary election, Chrostowski finished fourth out of nine candidates, accruing 9.5% of the vote and losing to long-time incumbent, Frank G. Jackson.[28] He returned to his position as President of EDWINS soon after the election.[4]

That year, EDWINS was also the subject of the Thomas Lennon-directed documentary short, Knife Skills. Chrostowski had met Lennon at a dinner party held by his former Chanterelle bosses, Karen and David Waltuck, in September 2013. He later agreed to let Lennon film the run-up to the restaurant's launch. The film largely focuses on EDWINS' opening night in November 2013 along with Chrostowski and the restaurant's trainees. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 90th Academy Awards.[22][29] In January 2018, Chrostowski led a group of EDWINS trainees preparing a dinner of fine French cuisine at the James Beard House in Manhattan.[16]

In March 2018, Chrostowski opened the Serenite Restaurant and Culinary Institute in Medina, Ohio. The restaurant operates similarly to EDWINS but has a focus on individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. The center received a $300,000 grant from the state of Ohio to start the restaurant.[30][31] Chrostowski has finished the EDWINS Butcher Shop and Cafe near the EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills Center. It opened in December 2018.[32][33][34][35] Over the course of its existence, the EDWINS program has graduated over 350 former inmates, and EDWINS culinary classes are held in virtually all Ohio prisons.[3] In July 2019 Chrostowski opened up an Italian eatery helping the homeless. In partnership with the West Side Catholic Center the social enterprise launched on July 19, 2019.[36][37][38] Chrostowski has continued his pursuit of building the best culinary school for returning citizens by opening the EDWINS Bakery on December 20, 2019.[39][40][41] This fresh bakery and "from scratch" diner provides a deeper baking and pastry education to students and provides fresh baked goods that "feed the soul" of the nearby community. Because of the commitment that Chrostowski has for the community and excellence exhibited in culinary arts, he was recognized by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) in March 2020 and named a recipient of the prestigious Silver Plate award.[42][43][44] Continuing to expand opportunity within the community through food Chrostowski opened edwins too,[45][46] a community incubator and restaurant in 2021. With an endless drive to serve those who are incarcerated Chrostowski expanded the EDWINS education inside of various prisons and jails nationwide via tablets.[47][48][49] He is also delivering culinary education to children [50][51] and at risk youths in high school.[52][53] Because of the work Chrostowski pursues he has earned additional recognition in 2022 by having EDWINS named as one of fifty-two places for a changed world by the New York Times[54][55] and received the James Beard award semi-finalist nomination for outstanding restaurateur in the United States.[56][57] In 2023 Chrostowski opened yet another supportive service when he purchased abuilidng and turned it into a child care center for students as well as purchased a fourteen unit apartment building for families.[58][59] All the amenities are helping support not just local students but students traveling from afar that have completed the EDWINS tablet program while incarcerated. As of 2023 there are over 90,000 users of this program.[60] In 2023 he was recognized again by the James Beard Foundation receiving the finalist nomination for outstanding restaurateur in the United States.[61]

References

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  1. ^ Hartke, Kristen (March 3, 2018). "Oscar-Nominated 'Knife Skills' Showcases Ex-Cons And Odd Ducks In The Kitchen". NPR. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Tobias, Andrew J. (February 2, 2017). "Edwins restaurant CEO Brandon Chrostowski announces Cleveland mayoral bid". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  3. ^ a b McMahan, Dana (March 2, 2018). "EDWINS in Cleveland Is Teaching Former Inmates How to Run a Restaurant". Esquire. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Crea, Joe (October 8, 2017). "Chrostowski returns to Edwins with big plans on tap". Crain's Cleveland Business. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Nobile, Jeremy (November 21, 2015). "Brandon Chrostowski, 35". Crain's Cleveland Business. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  6. ^ Hall, Jenn (February 22, 2017). "Edwins Restaurant in Cleveland Offers Ex-Offenders a New Start". Paste. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Kramer, Jillian (June 28, 2017). "Meet the Ex-Con Chef Running for Mayor of Cleveland". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  8. ^ Stanley, Sarah (November 11, 2015). "Kitchen Redemption: An interview with Brandon Chrostowski". Religion & Liberty. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Kramer, Jillian (September 30, 2013). "Food for Thought". Cleveland Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d Carrier, Shannon (October 13, 2018). "From Serving Time to Serving Food: EDWINS' Winning Recipe". Daily Beast. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Trattner, Douglas (November 11, 2010). "i live here (now): brandon chrostowski". FreshWater. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Trattner, Douglas (December 29, 2015). "Slow Your Roll: EDWINS Goes Crazy for Tableside Carts". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved November 24, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ Larson, Sarah (February 6, 2018). "An Oscar-Nominated Documentary About Fine Dining and Life After Prison". New Yorker. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c Crea, Joe (September 25, 2012). "L'Albatros Brasserie's Brandon Chrostowski aims to create a restaurant to train, employ ex-offenders". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Toner, Kathleen (March 17, 2016). "Restaurant gives ex-offenders a recipe for success". CNN. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Snook, Debbi (January 24, 2018). "Edwins' Cleveland team takes on New York City, Oscars, tonight's dinner (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  17. ^ a b c Husock, Howard (September 3, 2015). "Cooking, Not Crime: Ex-Cons Hot In Cleveland". Forbes. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  18. ^ Ruiz-Grossman, Sarah (June 28, 2016). "Chef Who Spent Time In Jail Now Trains Other Ex-Offenders In Culinary Arts". HuffPost. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  19. ^ O'Brien, Erin (March 14, 2013). "ideas worth spreading: tedxcle hopes to light a fire under our collective behinds". FreshWater. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  20. ^ Crea, Joe (October 23, 2013). "Edwins Restaurant, outreach to former prisoners returning to workforce, opening Nov. 1". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  21. ^ Agnew, Jenny (March 12, 2018). "Oscar-nominated documentary "Knife Skills" examines a restaurant through the eyes of its founder, an ex-convict". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  22. ^ a b Sherman, Elisabeth (January 24, 2018). "Oscar-Nominated Documentary 'Knife Skills' Takes You Behind the Scenes of a Kitchen Run by Ex-Convicts". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  23. ^ a b Jarboe, Michelle (September 8, 2015). "Edwins Second Chance campus comes together on Cleveland's Buckeye Road (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  24. ^ Crea, Joe (March 18, 2016). "Cleveland's Edwins Restaurant founder named a CNN Hero for 2016". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  25. ^ Connelly Rice, Karin (August 29, 2016). "Edwins campus completes second phase". FreshWater. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  26. ^ Trattner, Douglas (August 24, 2016). "EDWINS Expands its Reach with New Dorms, Second Chance Life Skills Center". Cleveland Scene. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  27. ^ DeMarco, Laura (January 25, 2017). "Edwins chef Brandon Chrostowski to be honored on 'The Steve Harvey Show'". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  28. ^ Castele, Nick (September 13, 2017). "Where Cleveland Mayoral Candidates Found Strongest Support". IdeaStream. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  29. ^ Bona, Marc (October 3, 2017). "Edwins beginnings in Shaker Square captured in 'Knife Skills' documentary". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  30. ^ Snook, Debbi (February 1, 2018). "Edwins' Cleveland leaders to open Serenite restaurant in Medina, supporting those recovering from addiction (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  31. ^ Hannan, Sheehan (June 12, 2018). "Brandon Chrostowski's Next Fight? Addiction". Cleveland Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  32. ^ Bona, Marc (December 13, 2018). "Edwins Butcher Shop opens, aiming to offer more than just affordable cuts of meat". cleveland.com.
  33. ^ "Edwins debuts butcher shop, hopes it's a catalyst for more". Crain's Cleveland Business. December 16, 2018.
  34. ^ Trattner, Douglas (October 24, 2018). "Brandon Chrostowski's Putting Finishing Touches on Edwins Butcher Shop". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  35. ^ Picciano, Jen (October 30, 2018). "Edwins opens new butcher shop, Chef Sawyer pens new cookbook; more on Taste Buds". WOIO. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  36. ^ "First Look: Ohio City Pizzeria". clevelandmagazine.com.
  37. ^ "Pizza served up with a purpose in Ohio City". WEWS. July 16, 2019.
  38. ^ Williams, David (July 20, 2019). "Ohio City Pizzeria Offers Opportunities For Former Inmates". www.wksu.org.
  39. ^ Bona, Marc (December 16, 2019). "EDWINS bakery-diner-coffee shop sets opening on buckeye road". www.cleveland.com.
  40. ^ Metzger, Stephanie (December 20, 2019). "EDWINS Bakery opens in Cleveland's Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood today". www.wkyc.com.
  41. ^ Hlavaty, Kaylan (December 19, 2019). "EDWINS Bakery & Training Center to bring European sweets and breads to Cleveland's Buckeye neighborhood". www.news5cleveland.com.
  42. ^ Bona, Marc (March 3, 2020). "Brandon Chrostowski named Silver Plate recipient". www.cleveland.com.
  43. ^ Glor, Jeff. "Ohio chef aims to give ex-convicts a second chance". www.cbsnews.com.
  44. ^ Raspe, Becky (March 9, 2020). "Brandon Chrostowski named 2020 Silver Plate recipient". www.clevelandjewishnews.com.
  45. ^ "Edwins Too brings incubator concept to Shake Square, helping aspiring chefs sharpen skills and launch businesses". WEWS. April 22, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  46. ^ Bona, Marc (September 30, 2020). "'Edwins Too' to take over Fire Food and Drink space in Shaker Square". cleveland. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  47. ^ "On the line at Edwins, where a restaurateur dishes out tough love to former inmates". Washington Post. December 22, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  48. ^ Stern, Gary. "Here's How This Former Le Cirque Chef Is Transforming The Lives Of Ex-Prisoner's". Forbes. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  49. ^ Connelly Rice, Karin (September 15, 2021). "EDWINS campus is expanding with additional housing in Buckeye". Cleveland - Freshwater Media. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  50. ^ "Edwins Too crew adds elementary students to cooking staff, new program teaches healthy nutrition and early career prep". WEWS. May 18, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  51. ^ Connelly Rice, Karin (January 8, 202). "EDWINS staff hosts virtual cooking classes for all ages, skill levels". Cleveland - Freshwater Media. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  52. ^ Bona, Marc (March 9, 2022). "Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute to partner with Cleveland high school on culinary career technical education program". cleveland. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  53. ^ "EDWINS collaborating with Fredrick Douglass High School to bring new culinary tech program". WEWS. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  54. ^ "52 Places for a Changed World". The New York Times. January 10, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  55. ^ "These 12 US spots were named the best places to travel in 2022". Curiocity. January 11, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  56. ^ Bona, Marc (February 24, 2022). "Brandon Chrostowski, Jill Vedaa named James Beard Award semifinalists". cleveland. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  57. ^ Grzegorek, Vince. "Jill Vedaa, Brandon Chrostowski Named Semifinalists in 2022 James Beard Awards". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  58. ^ "Non-Profit Edwins Launches Day Care and Family Center For Program Participants". clevelandmagazine.com. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  59. ^ McCarthy, Caitlin (August 28, 2023). "Edwin's expands family housing in Shaker Square to help students, employees rebuild after incarceration". www.cleveland19.com. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  60. ^ "EDWINS continues re-entry outreach with tablet program for those incarcerated". News 5 Cleveland WEWS. July 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  61. ^ "EDWINS' Brandon Chrostowski crowned 2023 James Beard Award finalist". News 5 Cleveland WEWS. April 11, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
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