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 in a way that could never have even been dreamt of less than a year ago.

It is our prayer that God will bless this modern-day refectory in the midst of our busy city as a place of fellowship and welcome, where men and women can find a safe place to begin again and rediscover their own dignity and worth as beloved children of our Creator. and where we will be nourished with the bounty of creation and nurtured in hope and peace.

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

  • 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.


  • General Manager

    As Jon Bosworth planned his future, he was divided between becoming a teacher or going to culinary school. Jon chose teaching, completing two years at Ashland University.

    After fulfilling an externship at the quintessentially innovative cocktail bar, The Spotted Owl, and graduating from the EDWINS program, Jon felt like he was getting a second chance to do what he wanted to do: combining teaching and the culinary arts. He earned a position as EDWINS’ Bar Manager in 2015, where he enjoyed the opportunity to teach our students how to bartend.

    In 2020 Jon took on the role of general manager of EDWINS taking the skills he learned behind the bar to another level. He now spends his time conducting the “show” ensuring that the guest has a great experience while making sure the front and back of house are moving together in perfect harmony.

    In the fall of 2024 Jon was given the opportunity to be the opening General Manager at The Friars’ Table. He jumped at the opportunity to put what he learned at EDWINS into practice opening a new restaurant.

    In his free time Jon enjoys working on projects around his house, riding his motorcycle and trying out new wines and spirits from around the world.

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.