Brandon Chrostowski

Brandon Edwin Chrostowski is the Founder, President, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, a groundbreaking nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through culinary education and re-entry support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Renowned for his commitment to classic French culinary traditions and social justice, Chrostowski has redefined what second chances can look like—in and beyond the kitchen.

Since founding EDWINS in 2007, he has built a nationally recognized model that provides over 100 formerly incarcerated adults each year with free, high-quality training in the culinary and hospitality arts. With a remarkable recidivism rate of less than 3%, EDWINS sets the standard for re-entry programs across the country.

In 2021, Chrostowski launched the EDWINS Culinary Tablet Program, bringing the Institute’s curriculum to prisons nationwide. Incarcerated individuals across the U.S. now have access to EDWINS’ culinary education while inside—and upon release, they’re invited to continue their training in Cleveland through in-person classes, complete with free housing and wraparound support.

Chrostowski has expanded the EDWINS mission through the creation of the Second Chance Life Skills Center, which includes housing, a library, a fitness center, a children’s park, and comprehensive support services. He also launched the EDWINS Family Center to provide free daycare for students, ensuring that parenthood is not a barrier to education or employment.

His growing portfolio of social enterprises includes Edwins Too—a fine-dining restaurant and culinary incubator—alongside EDWINS Butcher Shop and EDWINS Bakery & Diner. These ventures offer affordable, high-quality food while creating meaningful career opportunities for graduates.

A classically trained chef and sommelier, Chrostowski refined his craft in the kitchens of Paris, New York, and Chicago’s most esteemed restaurants.

His work has earned him widespread recognition, including the 2025 James Beard Impact Award, the 2025 CIA Leadership Award, finalist for the 2023 James Beard Award, the 2020 IFMA Silver Plate Award, and CNN Hero honors in 2016. He is also a recipient of the Richard C. Cornuelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship and was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Knife Skills.

Chrostowski holds a bachelor’s degree in business and Restaurant Management and an associate degree in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, Catana, and their children.