Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
Brandon Edwin Chrostowski, CEO, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute: As a changemaking, classically trained chef and founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, Brandon Chrostowski has revolutionized culinary and hospitality training within (and beyond) prisons by providing formerly incarcerated men and women—many from marginalized communities—with a second chance to rebuild their lives. Chrostowski offers equal opportunities regardless of past mistakes, and his mission fosters inclusiveness and hope for individuals who have often been overlooked by society. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Chrostowski’s work has also had a profound impact on advancing equity both locally and globally, and the EDWINS curriculum is now available on tablets in prisons across the country—ensuring that even those incarcerated have access to education and career opportunities.
The Impact Awards is a new program in 2025, born out of the James Beard Foundation’s impact work and advocacy policy priorities. Built on the previous Leadership Awards that were retired in 2024, the Impact Awards are administered by the Impact Committee of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and reflect the year’s programmatic priorities. It is one of the Foundation’s three Achievement Awards programs, alongside the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year Awards.
Learn more at jamesbeard.org/awards.
Brandon Edwin Chrostowski, CEO, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute: As a changemaking, classically trained chef and founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, Brandon Chrostowski has revolutionized culinary and hospitality training within (and beyond) prisons by providing formerly incarcerated men and women—many from marginalized communities—with a second chance to rebuild their lives. Chrostowski offers equal opportunities regardless of past mistakes, and his mission fosters inclusiveness and hope for individuals who have often been overlooked by society. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Chrostowski’s work has also had a profound impact on advancing equity both locally and globally, and the EDWINS curriculum is now available on tablets in prisons across the country—ensuring that even those incarcerated have access to education and career opportunities.
The Impact Awards is a new program in 2025, born out of the James Beard Foundation’s impact work and advocacy policy priorities. Built on the previous Leadership Awards that were retired in 2024, the Impact Awards are administered by the Impact Committee of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and reflect the year’s programmatic priorities. It is one of the Foundation’s three Achievement Awards programs, alongside the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year Awards.
Learn more at jamesbeard.org/awards.
