EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute

EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute is a fine dining restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to transforming lives through culinary arts and hospitality training. Serving formerly incarcerated adults, the organization provides hands-on education, paid work experience, and comprehensive support including housing, legal services, medical care, and job coaching. Located on Cedar Road, EDWINS operates a flagship restaurant, a Butcher Shop, a Bakery, and EDWINS Too, a community kitchen and event space, offering a full ecosystem for second chances. The restaurant, recognized by The New York Times as one of “52 Places for a Changed World,” is celebrated for its classic French cuisine and mission-driven service, earning a 4.60 rating from guests.

Founded in 2007 by Brandon Chrostowski, EDWINS began with culinary classes at Grafton Correctional Institution and opened its first restaurant in Shaker Square in 2013. In 2025, it relocated to the historic Nighttown building, expanding its campus to include the 30,000-square-foot Second Chance Life Skills Center. The program graduates 75 individuals annually, many of whom secure roles in top dining establishments nationwide. EDWINS was honored with the 2025 James Beard Impact Award and has been featured in national media, including a documentary nominated for an Academy Award.

Situated on Cedar Road, EDWINS is about a tenth of a mile from Stephen Green Park and a short walk from Kenilworth Park, Roxboro Middle School, and Cedar Hill School. Nearby landmarks include the Cleveland Heights Fire Station 2 and the Centennial Dental Museum, all within a half-mile radius.

The business stands out for its exceptionally thorough and well-documented online presence, with clear, consistent information across platforms. Its website is optimized for search engines, making it easy to find and verify, a key strength in digital visibility.

EDWINS exemplifies how a restaurant in Cleveland can be a force for social change, proving that hospitality, when rooted in equity and dignity, can reshape futures.