Edwins' Brandon Chrostowski wins first-ever James Beard Impact Award

• It's also Cleveland's first James Beard Award since 2015, when Jonathon Sawyer won Best Chef in the Great Lakes region.

State of play: The new Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations "actively working to push for standards that create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry," per the James Beard Foundation.

Catch up quick: Chrostowski founded Edwins in 2007 as a jobs program for returning citizens and opened the restaurant on Shaker Square in 2013.

• It recently relocated to the former Nighttown space on Cedar Road.

What they're saying: "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," Brandon Chrostowski said in a press 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."

Zoom out: Four Cleveland chefs were named semifinalists in 2025, but failed to make the short list released this week.