CLEVELAND — A local chef who’s known for giving former inmates a second chance in northeast Ohio is heading to Israel to help cook food for those who have been displaced and affected by the Hamas terrorist attacks.

What You Need To Know

  • An Ohio chef is taking his cooking skills to Israel to help those displaced

  • Thousands have been reported killed in the conflict since the initial attack by the terrorist group Hamas on Oct. 7

  • Chef Brandon Chrostowski vows to help Israelis

Chef Brandon Chrostowski is preparing tonight’s menu at his restaurant, Edwins.

"I mean I love cooking since I got in the kitchen, and I first got in the kitchen I was probably 16, 17 years old," he said.

But Chrostowski is also preparing a menu to take with him to Israel.

"I don’t want to sit back and do nothing," he said. "Right, so when you see innocent mothers or kids getting killed, you want to take action. I want to take action, so connecting with people in Israel, connecting with other chefs."

Chrostowski said food can go a long way to make a difference in people’s lives, especially when affected by tragedy. He saw that first-hand when he went to Poland to help those affected by the Ukraine war.

"They weren’t prepared for a war, and you know, feeding people who were displaced or troops that are there is like a priority, and so somebody needs to prepare those meals," he said.

Chrostowski will be joining other chefs in Israel, and while he knows he’s risking his life, he also knows others have to live that reality every single day.

"People need support when times are tough, and if we ever go through something here in this country, I hope that someone from Tel Aviv would come here or someone from Poland would come here," he said.

Officials have reported thousands have been killed in the war since the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Chrostowski is heartbroken to hear about the loss of innocent life and said he will do everything he can to help those in Israel.

"What happened was wrong," he said. "I mean, you take children and kill them. I mean that’s just wrong. I don’t think there is anyone on board with that, no matter what side you’re on."

Chrostowski said he’s on the side of humanity and justice and vows to support those Israelis whose lives have been changed forever.