Father Gary Chmura, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Cleveland’s Shaker Square neighborhood describes Brandon Chrostowski, one of his parishioners, as someone with vision and energy. “Sometimes his energy is frightening,” he added.
Marsha Mockabee, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, called Chrostowski a solutions person. “He’s flexible, responsive and nimble,” she said, when he deals with what she called “homecomers,” people who are returning from prison.
Mockabee introduced Chrostowski when he addressed the First Friday Club of Cleveland recently to share the story of EDWINS, a program he began to provide a second chance for formerly incarcerated persons. EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute includes a French restaurant at Shaker Square and a nearby butcher shop and bakery. Each place is open to the public and also serves as a classroom.
“I was a reckless teenager and got thrown in jail,” said Chrostowski, a Michigan native. However, he got a second chance when the judge opted to give him probation rather than a prison sentence. “You don’t know what freedom is until you lose it,” Chrostowski noted.
He was required to get a job and soon went to work at a Detroit area restaurant with a Greek chef named George as his mentor. George saw promise in the young man and taught him as much as he could.
“He taught me that perfect practice makes perfect -- not practice makes perfect,” Chrostowski said. His mentor also helped him gain admission to the Culinary Institute of America where he continued to learn his new trade. “Mentorship makes a difference. George taught me that,” he said.
Chrostowski continued learning and worked under chefs in Chicago, France and New York before starting EDWINS, which is based on his middle name: Edwin.
Two words – endure and overcome – became his mantra.
“You learn that you can do more than what you think is humanly possible,” he said, recalling how when he went to France for more training he couldn’t speak French. “I worked hard,” he said, sharing how he worked his way up from a small restaurant to a three-star Michelin restaurant. Three stars is the highest honor a restaurant can receive, denoting it offers “exceptional cuisine” that is “worth a special journey” to visit. Only five New York City restaurants are among about 120 that earned three-star ratings worldwide. His goal was to be the best chef possible.
Chrostowski, who was raised Catholic, said he has a very strong faith. “I thought about the seminary briefly, but I just couldn’t do it,” he said, so he turned his thoughts to a school with a restaurant that would train people coming home from prison so they would have the skills needed for employment.
Why did he choose Cleveland for his program? “I looked at the city with the worst public education,” he said, adding that he knew no one in Cleveland when he moved here (in 2007) to found EDWINS. He began by teaching at Grafton Correctional Institute.
Nationally, the recidivism rate is about 66%, meaning nearly two-thirds of those released from prison will reoffend and likely end up back in the penal system. However, the recidivism rate for EDWINS graduates is about 1% Mockabee said, calling it “amazing.”
Chrostowski said EDWINS is filled with “spirit, hope, education and sacrifice. It’s not about where you’ve been; it’s where you’re going.” He said those who are in the most need are offered spots in the six-month, free training program. Students work hard but Chrostowski said it’s powerful because they’re succeeding. When students complete the program, they receive a certificate. Job placement assistance also is available.
“We care and care harder than anyone else. We find ways to solve issues,” he said. Students get help to obtain an ID card, set up a bank account and they can get health insurance. EDWINS also has housing available for those who need it. Students work hard and learn every part of the restaurant industry, Chrostowski said. The program enables them to experience the different jobs including prep work, cooking, serving and hospitality.
Since EDWINS opened its butcher shop and a bakery nearby, students also learn about butchering, how to cut and prepare meats and bakery/pastry work.
“EDWINS is committed to being the best culinary institute in the United States,” Chrostowski said. So far, there are about 350 graduates and most found work in the industry. He said some work in top-rated restaurants in Greater Cleveland and beyond and others have started their own businesses. The program also works with Ohio City Pizzeria in Cleveland, in conjunction with the West Side Catholic Center and at Serenite Restaurant in Medina, a French restaurant that helps instill leadership skills in people recovering from substance abuse through a culinary arts education. An EDWINS graduate is manager at the pizzeria.
EDWINS has a unique business model, Chrostowski said. It accepts no state or federal funding. Operating costs come from benefactors and proceeds from the restaurants, butcher shop and bakery, all of which serve the public. He said people have come to Cleveland to see how EDWINS works. The program has attracted attention from national news media and Chrostowski was selected as a CNN Hero and featured in a short video in 2016. Chrostowski and EDWINS also were featured as the cover story in the July 2018 issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, the magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
“We are committed to breaking the ceiling,” Chrostowski said. “Get out of the way and let people learn.”
Patrick Gareau, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, will speak at the noon First Friday Club of Cleveland program on March 5 at The City Club, 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. For more information or to register online, click HERE.