EDWINS ALUMNI Newsletter

Fall Edition 2 - November 2025

The 2025 EDWINS Run for Re-Entry was another incredible success!

Thank you to every alumni runner who braved the cold and rain, every alumni volunteer who showed up with energy and heart, and every alumni sponsor who continues to believe in the mission that you experienced first hand.

Your commitment and spirit keep the EDWINS Run for Re-Entry moving forward year after year.

This isn’t just the toughest 5K in Cleveland, it fuels opportunity, hope, and transformation.

We’re endlessly grateful for this amazing community, and we can’t wait to see you all again next year. Stay on the lookout for more volunteer opportunities!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last month's EDWINS Elevate Masterclass! Chef Ashley led an incredible two-hour deep dive into the art of past making, exploring the basics of making fresh pasta and then how to do a basic alfredo sauce. Participants were able to make a batch of their own fresh fettuccine, to take home and utilize in the sauce of their choice.

We sure got a workout in kneading that pasta dough till it was just the right consistency, but the hard work paid off.

If you couldn't attend but would like a copy of the recipe feel free to reach out here. We also save video from the class if you'd like to follow along.

Save the Date: Next EDWINS Elevate Class
Tentatively mark your calendars for December 17 at 6 PM, when Chef Lexi will guide us through some Holiday cookie making! Whether you're looking to refine your technique or dive into a new recipe, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.

We're committed to offering one EDWINS Elevate class each month, creating ongoing opportunities for our community to learn, connect, and grow together. Keep an eye out for registration details coming soon!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us at the 2025 Alumni Halloween Party! Your presence made the day truly special.

It was wonderful to see, the few folks that showed up, come together to enjoy delicious treats, share amazing food, and reminisce about cherished memories. The laughter, stories, and sense of community reminded us why these gatherings are so important.

Thank you to Edwins Bakery and Butcher Shop for making the day a success, and to all our alumni who attended. Your continued connection to our community means the world to us.

We look forward to seeing you at future events!

1. Can you walk us through what you’re doing now professionally, and how the skills you learned at EDWINS have directly contributed to your success?

I have opened up my own food truck business. Edwins has shown me how to believe in myself. It's no limit to your success.

2. What has surprised you most about your journey since graduating from EDWINS—either challenges you didn’t expect or opportunities that exceeded your expectations?

The drive that I have for cooking led to thrilling adventures for me.

3. How has your involvement with EDWINS impacted not just your career, but your personal life and relationships with family and community?

I have always been a family man. But I am more open to my family and I engage in more family celebrations!

4. What are your goals and dreams for the next few years, and how do you see yourself continuing to grow both personally and professionally?

My plan is to open up a small restaurant chain of Oudie Soul Dogs. To me a small chain is a step up from a single restaurant.

5. Do you have any business or work you want highlight? What is it?

No! My actions speak louder than words. What people do is more of a indicator of their true intentions.

Every great kitchen faces heat, chaos, and high stakes. But what separates good chefs and team leaders from great ones isn’t just skill—it’s resilience. In the culinary world, resilience is more than “bouncing back.” It’s the ability to stay grounded in the middle of the rush, to keep thinking clearly when emotions run high, and to lead others through pressure with calm focus.

That’s the foundation of emotional intelligence (EQ)—and EQ is what drives every other leadership skill.

Approximate Nutritional information here

Bean and Tomato Pasta Bake

Servings: 4

Serving size: About 2 cups

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

This recipe can easily be multiplied using a larger skillet and makes great leftovers – even cold.

Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Olive oil

1/2 Onion (chopped)

3 clove Garlic, raw (minced)

3 Tbsp. No salt added tomato paste

1 tsp. Dried rosemary (crumbled)

2 15-ounce can No salt added diced tomatoes

1 cup Water

1 15 ounce can Canned no salt added white beans

6 ounce Whole Wheat Elbows (or gluten-free whole grain elbow pasta)

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 to taste Black pepper

5 ounce Skim milk mozzarella (shredded)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Place a large skillet on the stove over medium high heat.

Add the olive oil and the onion, allow to turn translucent then add the garlic.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the tomato paste and rosemary and cook for about one minute.

Add the tomatoes, water, white beans, pasta, salt, and pepper.

Stir and place the skillet in the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove and sprinkle the cheese over the top and return the pan to the oven.

Bake for another 10 minutes.

Serve.

Wild Patch Microgreens Business Tour

SAVE THE DATE: Monday November 10th from 4-7 PM

Get a first hand look at how some of the best microgreens in Ohio are grown and harvested and then shipped to top restaurants.  We will also discuss how to best utilize microgreens for the restaurant world and in your home. We will also look at the Christmas tree farm that they are located on.

This is a bit of a drive so be sure to RSVP so we are able to work out carpooling if necessary.

Where: 11281 Heath Road Chesterland, OH 44026

RSVP: By clicking here or email alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org and let us know if you need a ride.

Health and Wellness Sundays

Date: November 23rd at 10 AM 

You ate a lot of great Thanksgiving food, so why not spend an hour or so getting moving and feeling good?

Details: Monthly informal health and wellness walk and discussion.  We will keep the walk as short or long as you want and maybe spend some time at the calisthenics park. This can be a nice little way to get some fitness in before the Alumni Halloween Party.

No need to RSVP but if you have questions feel free to reach out.

Where: Meet at Southerly Park 15401-15685 S Woodland Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120

EDWINS Elevate Culinary Masterclasses - Holiday Cookies

Date: Tentatively December 17th at 6 PM

Details: Edwins Pastry Chef Lexi Champion will teach a hands on class of how to make some classic holiday cookies.

Where: EDWINS Bakery 13104 Buckeye Rd, Cleveland, OH 44120-2664

RSVP: By clicking here or Email alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org if you are interested

Cleveland Central Kitchen Food Incubator Tour

Date: Monday January 12th at 5 PM

Details: Cleveland Central Kitchen, is a community of like-minded food entrepreneurs who get the challenges and opportunities of working in the craft food business. You can join and they are ready to share the ingredients you need to launch, build and grow.

Where: Stay Tuned

RSVP: By clicking here or by emailing alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org 

Stay tuned for more continuing education events and more at edwinsrestaurant.org/alumni

If you put EDWINS in your profile under the education section you will automatically show up as an alumni on the EDWINS LinkedIn page.

Whether you've launched a business, earned a prestigious promotion, started that podcast you have always wanted, published your first blog post, welcomed a new family member, completed a marathon, changed careers, earned new degrees, gotten involved in your community, or simply found your passion, we want to know about it. From professional milestones and personal triumphs to unexpected adventures and challenges overcome, every achievement matters to us.

Sharing your news is easy simply email us at alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org with "Alumni Success Story" in the subject line. Feel free to include a brief description of your news, how your education prepared you for this moment, photos, and any advice for current students. We'd love to feature your story in our next newsletter.

Your successes inspire current students, connect our alumni community, and remind us all of the incredible potential within our network. Don't be modest – we're genuinely excited to hear about your journey, and your fellow alumni are rooting for you. Remember, your success is our success, and we couldn't be prouder to call you our alumnus.

Remember email those success stories to alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org