A state prison in northeast Ohio says that for the first time in the state’ history, a five-course meal has been served to members of the public with food prepared by incarcerated men from fruits and vegetables grown in the prison garden.
Almost 60 people dined at Grafton Correctional Institution, where incarcerated men in the prison’s EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute hosted the event in the “EDWINS’ Garden” and “Hope City Garden.”
EDWINS, an organization dedicated to education in prisons, hosted the dinner as part of its culinary course, offered in 652 prisons and jails around the country. The six-month course provides training to incarcerated people, teaching them cooking techniques, safety and sanitation, knife skills and other certifications needed to work in a fine dining establishment.
“Figuratively what is happening is that we’re reframing what’s possible in prison,” said Chef Brandon Chrostowski.
Chrostowski — a James Beard Award semifinalist and finalist for Outstanding Restauranteur — formed a partnership with the staff at Grafton Correctional Institution in 2012, and designed a class to teach incarcerated men about culinary arts and hospitality.