EDWINS ALUMNI Newsletter

SUMMER Edition 2 - September 2025

We are approaching Labor Day and It was an exciting August for the EDWINS Alumni family.  On Sunday August 24th, we officially graduated our largest group of students yet. 

This is a special group. Some only took classes at the Shaker Square location, some helped move the restaurant to the new Cedar Road location, and the newest grads never experienced the original restaurant. 

As fellow graduates of the program we want to celebrate this group and welcome them to our "club".  We know how hard it is to get here, and we look forward to celebrating them as they move on to their next endeavor. 

Greetings!

We’ve had a busy few weeks! Our move to Cleveland Heights was a smooth transition marked with a lot of firsts. We had our first big graduation of the year on Sunday August 24th. We graduated 70 students from 5 different classes, our largest graduation yet! It was so beautiful to see our students and their families celebrating this monumental achievement. For some of them, it was the first time that they had completed something, and the certification was that much more important. It showed them the importance of second chances and what hard work and diligence can do. Even more importantly it strengthened relationships that have been severed due to incarceration. Congratulations to all those who came out to celebrate, and to those who had to work but were there in our hearts.

On Monday August 25th we then had our first of many alumni events where we hosted alumni from past classes and reconnected over food, drinks, and trivia. It was great to see so many faces from the past and hear about all the amazing accomplishments that have been made over the years. We have people who have opened their own catering companies, are working in executive chef positions, and even opened their own construction and demolition companies! It was great to see them and hear about what they have been doing.

We plan to continue the momentum with more events geared towards alumni and their children and we look forward to many more firsts!

Cheers!

Heather K. Pederson

Dean of Students

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

We had our first Alumni Mixer on Monday August 25th and about 40 alumni showed up to a fun night. 

The night was filled with food, trivia, drinks, and catching up with one another.  

The teams that won trivia even went home with some fresh new EDWINS Alumni t-shirts.  We will be giving some of those shirts out at future events too.

More events are on the horizon so check below for when and where!

What was your biggest "lightbulb moment" during your time at EDWINS, and how did it shape your perspective on your future?

Being able to be there for my fellow students. Because as a class we relied on each other, because back during those first two classes we didn’t have a lot the current classes have. It made us stronger and we had each other.

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?

Being a hard working student then, made me a hard working manager now. I was under Chef Gilbert and Chef Gerry. They were more stern and disciplined, they were great chefs.  The experience is now used to help me teach our current students. I learned a lot of new things between now and then but I still go back to those old ways when implementing what I learned.

What has surprised you most about your journey since graduating from EDWINS - either challenges you didn't expect or opportunities that exceeded your expectations?

I have received opportunities that exceeded my expectations. Like becoming kitchen manager, and being an executive chef.

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

They are proud of me. They always were proud of me but it went up a notch. I just wish my Mom was here to see it now. I have accomplished so much in the 33 years since she has been gone and I wish she was here to see it.

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

Helping more students come through the program and succeed after their time with us.  When I come to work after a few days off, I love that students ask where I have been and that they missed my support and guidance

Earlier this month we returned to Grafton Correctional, the place where it all began nearly two decades ago.

What started with simple cooking classes and later a tablet program has grown into a mission that continues to change lives through food and education.

The men at Grafton tend the garden daily. Hand-watering each plant for hours because no hose can reach. They grew every ingredient served at this dinner, then prepared and presented a five-course fine dining experience alongside Chef Gerry and Chef Brandon.

This dinner is a reminder of where our work started, the dedication it takes to grow something against the odds, and of the second chances that can flourish when given the opportunity.

Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating the dignity, talent, and perseverance of the students.

Alumni trip to Miceli Dairy Products!

Date: September 16 @ 11 AM

Details: Join us for an engaging discussion on cheesemaking with a national brand at Miceli Dairy Products, conveniently located off Buckeye on E 90th.

Where: Arrive at 2721 E 90th Street Cleveland, OH 44104 and park in the Visitor Center lot across from the church. Security will guide you to the front entrance double doors, and you will check in with the receptionist.

RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by September 13 at alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org.

EDWINS Elevate Culinary Masterclasses - Buttercreams

Date: September 24 @ 6PM

Details: Join our very own CIA Graduate, and Pastry Chef, Chef Lexi for an in depth masterclass on buttercreams. You will be making some! There are many variations of buttercreams so be sure to come with questions, and feel free to RSVP with what type of buttercream you are most excited to learn more about.

Where: Edwins Bakery and Butcher Shop 13104 Buckeye Rd, Cleveland, OH 44120

RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by September 19 at alumni@edwinsrestaurant.org.

Health and Wellness Sundays

Details: Starting on September 28th we will be starting a 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. 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 - Pasta Making

Date: TBD in Early October

Details: Director of Culinary Arts Chef Ashley, CEC, CCA will show you how to take control of your own pasta by making it front scratch.  Then the endless possibilities that come from learning how to make your own fresh pasta dough.

Where: Edwins 12383 Cedar Road, Cleveland, OH 44120

RSVP: Info coming soon

EDWINS Run for Re-entry 2025

Details and Sign up ===> here

Information about the Edwins Alumni Family Friendly Halloween Party will be coming soon!

SAVE THE DATE THOUGH: SUNDAY OCTOBER 26th

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.