Cooking up a second chance inside and outside correctional facilities. EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute is a Cleveland-based restaurant and training program that delivers a foundation in the culinary arts and the hospitality industry to returning citizens.
Incarcerated individuals can access EDWINS’ online course work through ViaPath Technologies Inspire® tablets which equips students with highly-sought-after job skills and training by engaging them in active learning and providing realistic hope upon release.
These courses provide critical introductory skills on topics such as:
- Gastronomy
- Culinary Math
- Menu Prep
- ServSafe certification exam preparation
- Front of the House training
- Bartending
- Drink preparation
- Back of the House training
- Food selection and preparation
- Tools and Equipment
- Grinding, Mixing, and Pureeing
- Refrigeration
- Knife Skills
- Stocks
Benefits
- Engages incarcerated individuals in active learning, providing something to look forward to upon release
- Equips incarcerated individuals with highly sought-after job skills and training
- Enables continuous learning—Upon release, individuals who completed the EDWINS tablet curricula are automatically qualified for the full EDWINS in-person program, equipping students with intensive training and hands-on work experience
- Provides an ongoing support network necessary for long-term success to include free housing programs, legal services, basic medical care, job coaching, literacy programs, and other necessary support

About Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Insitute
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute gives formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industry while providing a support network necessary for their long-term success. Founded in 2007, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute graduates nearly 100 students a year with a 95% employment rate and less than 1% recidivism rate. Learn more at: www.edwinsrestaurant.org/