Cleveland’s got a new James Beard Award winner in its dining scene: Brandon Chrostowski was honored with the James Beard Foundation’s Impact Award, which has been newly introduced in 2025.
The award honors “individuals and organizations who are actively reshaping the food system for the better,” according to a news release.
Chrostowski’s flagship restaurant, Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute, certainly fits the bill. The fine-dining restaurant has earned national attention for training formerly incarcerated people in its culinary program. The restaurant’s virtual tablet program is also a top education program in American prisons.
“This award is a recognition not only of the work we do at EDWINS but also of the power of belief — that everyone, no matter their past, deserves dignity, opportunity, and a seat at the table,” Chrostowski said in a news release. “In my opinion, one of the key benefits of receiving the award is the very large key it presents to open more doors for advancement in the industry. I’m happy to bring this home to Cleveland and will be rooting for all of the chefs who are nominated for an award this year.”
Chrostowski had previously been nominated for the organization’s Outstanding restaurateur categories in both 2022 and 2023. This marks his first James Beard win.
Earlier in this year’s competition, four local chefs were named semifinalists: Cordelia’s Vinnie Cimino and Larder’s Jeremy Umansky in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category, plus Larder’s Alexandra La Valle in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category and Edgewater Hospitality’s Douglas Katz in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. None of these semifinalists moved on in the competition.
While Cleveland chefs have made it into the semifinalist and Cimino became the city's first finalist in a decade last year, none have won since 2015, when Jonathon Sawyer of Greenhouse Tavern was named Best Chef in the Great Lakes category.
Chrostowski and other winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony in Chicago, June 14-16.
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