For some, a job is just a way to make a living. But for chef Brandon Chrostowski, it’s more than that — it’s a way to transform lives. Growing up with boundless energy and little direction, Chrostowski was in and out of jail during his teenage years. His life, however, changed after he found his passion in the kitchen.
A Life-Changing Path Through The Kitchen
Chrostowski began working in a restaurant as a teenager, where he met a chef who became his mentor. This mentor’s guidance led Chrostowski to pursue culinary education on scholarship at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. With his newfound passion for food, he set his sights on becoming the best in the industry.
After graduating, Chrostowski worked under the renowned chef Charlie Trotter, one of the top names in the country at the time. He then went on to work in Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and at Le Cirque in New York City.
During this time, a tragedy involving a childhood friend and fellow kitchen worker caused Chrostowski to rethink his career trajectory.
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A Mission To Change Lives
Chrostowski’s friend, someone he had cooked alongside in his early years, was tragically killed back in Detroit. This event deeply affected him and spurred him to make a difference.
He knew he wanted to help others avoid a similar fate, and thus, Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute was born — a restaurant that doubles as a culinary school for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Building Skills And Humanizing The Incarcerated
Edwins, a nonprofit founded by Chrostowski, offers incarcerated people an opportunity to learn fine dining techniques and hospitality skills. But more than that, the program helps restore their sense of humanity.
According to Chrostowski, “Edwins is a declaration that education wins.” Since 2004, he’s been working to change the face of re-entry for people leaving prison.
One of Edwins’ core missions is to show that incarcerated individuals are human to themselves and the world. On August 15th, this mission was implemented at Ohio’s Grafton Correctional Institution, where participants cooked and served a five-course meal for the public.
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Culinary Training Inside Grafton Correctional
The Edwins program started officially in 2011 at Grafton Correctional Institution, where men learn all aspects of working in a professional kitchen from knife skills to food safety certifications. Beyond the classroom, they also run a garden, established in 2014, which now yields crops like tomatoes, corn, and peppers.
The garden provides fresh produce for their prepared meals, while the hands-on involvement deepens their connection to the land and food.
Showcasing Skills With a Fine Dining Experience
The men showcased their culinary skills and the garden’s harvest at the recent five-course dinner at Grafton. The meal started with a roasted beet salad and ended with a corn cake topped with blueberry compote and Chantilly cream, using ingredients they had grown. Each dish was carefully paired with a mocktail, elevating the dining experience for the public.
The event highlighted the dedication and skill of the participants. As Chrostowski points out, “The men are deeply invested in their work, and it shows in the product.” Their hard work in the garden and the kitchen has resulted in dishes that rival professional standards.
Beyond The Kitchen: Building a Community
At Grafton, the day typically begins with a lecture, followed by hands-on learning and the joy of eating the food they’ve cooked together. For many, the experience is about more than learning culinary skills. It’s about community, teamwork, and rebuilding their lives.
One participant, Greg Sigelmier, shared, “It’s a community here. The more we come together and make a dish, the more we learn about each other and the food.” For student Efrain Paniagua-Villa, the program offers a tangible path to success once released, with opportunities to work at Edwins’ various establishments or other culinary ventures.
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Expanding The Program
Since its inception, Edwins has grown significantly. The program now includes a campus in Cleveland, Ohio, offering extensive culinary training, housing, child care, health insurance, and more.
Students participate in a six-month curriculum, rotating between Edwins’ restaurant, bakery, and butcher shop. After graduating, the organization helps place them in jobs while offering lifelong support.
A Broader Mission Across The Country
Edwins has also expanded its reach through digital programs, providing professional cooking education to nearly 700 prisons nationwide.
The organization’s holistic approach combining skills training with personal support ensures that its graduates are prepared for careers in the culinary world and equipped to rebuild their lives.
A Movement To Humanize Incarcerated Individuals
Programs like Edwins are not alone in their mission. Across the country, similar initiatives aim to reintegrate incarcerated individuals into society through skill-building and employment opportunities.
These programs emphasize the value of treating incarcerated people with dignity, giving them a chance to lead meaningful lives post-release.
At the heart of it all, Chrostowski says, is respecting people’s humanity. “Having someone feel like they’re human again is the biggest thing that we can deliver on through food,” he says. And through Edwins, that’s exactly what he’s doing one meal, one lesson, and one person at a time.
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