Edwins Launches Four-Week Cooking Program for Cleveland Youth

Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute is opening a new four-week culinary training course for teenagers.

The program targets youth between the ages of 13 and 17. It will provide basic culinary skills and mentorship. The initiative launches in response to recent gun violence in the Cleveland area. Specifically, it follows the fatal shooting of Jaiden Tunson on Monday. Tunson, a 17-year-old from Shaker Heights, was killed on Buckeye Road. The location is across the street from the Edwins facility.

Chef Brandon Chrostowski, founder and CEO of Edwins, announced the course on Thursday. He gathered activists, pastors, and community members outside the restaurant. Chrostowski stated that the organization is mobilizing a team to offer classes immediately. He emphasized that mentors like Art McKoy, founder of Black on Black Crime Inc., will help participants deal with grief and street psychology. Chrostowski also noted that more than 20 local employers have committed to hiring program graduates. Employers include Edison's Pizza, Gervasi, Orlando Baking, and Cedar Creek Grill.

Antonio Edwards, currently enrolled in Edwins' adult training program, attended the announcement. Edwards lost a friend to gun violence last week. He described the new youth program as a family rather than just a class. Charlotte Thomas was also present at the event. Her son, Johnathan Bradley, was killed in Cleveland Heights last week. Thomas spoke about the loss of her son and called for families to reduce children's exposure to social media and video games.

Fred Ward, executive director of The Khnemu Foundation, attended the gathering. He described the current state of violence as a pandemic and a crisis. Ward argued that Cleveland is not poor and needs to reinvest in its community. He urged politicians and organizations to do more than rely on existing programs. Art McKoy expressed urgency regarding the unsolved murders in the area. He stated that the community is demanding answers rather than asking for them. McKoy said that unsolved cases lead to more unsolved cases.

The Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating Tunson's death. A department statement said police are pursuing every available lead. The unit aims to build a strong, evidence-based case for prosecution. No suspects have been apprehended in Tunson's case or related incidents. The new Edwins course is open to interested families. Residents can call 216-921-3333 or visit the business at 13024 Buckeye Road for details.

Chrostowski said the course is not just about earning a certificate. He described it as a way to change a life right now. He admitted he cannot do the work alone and is asking others to join the effort. The program seeks to break the cycle of violence through investment and mentoring. The goal is to give young people a positive, violence-free path forward.