Our Story
Born in 2018 as a dream of Bro. Phil Bernier, OFM Cap, in a Capuchin Franciscan friary in Santa Ynez, California, and graced by the gift of a generous friend, the reality of The Friars’ Table began to take shape with a meeting between Bro. Phil and Brandon Chrostowski of EDWINS in October of 2020. Encouraged by Brandon to “think big” and by the mission of his Leadership Institute, the unusual partnership of a Catholic religious community and an esteemed local restaurateur began.
After many fits and starts, the partnership grew with the welcoming embrace of Craig Hassall, the president and chief executive officer of Playhouse Square, a nationally renowned theater district and local real estate powerhouse, and with the active support of his administrative team. The resulting synergy of these three entities – the Capuchin Franciscan friars, EDWINS and Playhouse Square – finally brought The Friars’ Table to birth.
Our Mission
A unique collaboration of three non-profit organizations – Playhouse Square, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute and Cleveland Capuchin Ministries – The Friars’ Table is a welcoming space where neighbors, visitors and employees are gathered by the promise of simple yet delicious food and drink, to form a community where all are welcome, all are honored and all are respected in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who invites each of us to be instruments of peace and gracious stewards of God’s gift of creation.
Meet the Team
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Founder, CEO, and president of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute Brandon Edwin Chrostowski is renowned for changing culinary and hospitality training—in and out of the nation’s prisons—while preserving French cooking traditions. His mission-driven effort to train and staff former prison inmates at his flagship French restaurant and nonprofit has created a national model for re-entry and an educational pipeline for formerly incarcerated to learn the discipline and skill of fine dining.
Under Chrostowski’s leadership, the EDWINS program boasts an extraordinary one percent recidivism rate, a testament to the efficacy of its approach. More than a CEO, Chrostowski is a catalyst for change, providing over one hundred formerly incarcerated adults with free culinary and hospitality arts training each year. Since its inception in 2007, the program has evolved into a multifaceted initiative, including Edwins Too—a culinary incubator and community kitchen; EDWINS Butcher Shop and Bakery and Diner; a Second Chance Life Skills Center with housing and wraparound services; EDWINS Family Center, a nonprofit offering free daycare to Institute students during class hours; on-site programs at Grafton Correctional Institute and Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center; and a groundbreaking virtual curriculum reaching over 400,000 inmates in prisons across the country.
A culinary virtuoso, Chrostowski’s journey began with classical training as a chef and sommelier. He honed his skills at distinguished fine dining establishments in Paris, New York, and Chicago, including Lucas Carton, Chanterelle, Picholine, Le Cirque, and Charlie Trotter’s. His culinary prowess has been celebrated with numerous accolades, including being a 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist and a 2023 James Beard Finalist. Recognition also extends to the 2023 Jim Brown Changemaker Award, IFMA’s 2020 Silver Plate, CNN’s 2016 Heroes, and the prestigious Crain’s “40 under 40” Awards.
Chrostowski’s commitment to social entrepreneurship has been further acknowledged with The Richard C. Cornuelle Award from the Manhattan Institute for Social Entrepreneurship. His extraordinary journey has been captured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Knife Skills,” providing a compelling narrative of his mission and impact. National media outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, and TODAY, have featured Chrostowski, bringing attention to his innovative approach to culinary education and social reform.
A proud alum of The Culinary Institute of America, Chrostowski holds an associate degree in culinary arts and a bachelor’s degree in business and Restaurant Management. His combined expertise and dedication continue to redefine the possibilities of the culinary and hospitality industry, making Brandon Chrostowski a visionary leader and catalyst for positive change. He resides in Cleveland with his wife Catana and their children, Leo, Lilly, Lynx, and Lander.
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General ManagerMore information coming soon!
Cleveland Capuchin Ministries
After the example of St. Francis who was a Catholic and totally apostolic man, Cleveland Capuchin Ministries offer faithful obedience to the Spirit of Christ living and working in the Church. They contribute to the good of the local church through fraternal and prophetic presence, working together for its growth and progress in accordance with their charsm and under the guidance of the diocesan bishop, offering their apostolic service to the People of God and to the entire human community.
