Vinnie Cimino, chef at Cleveland’s Cordelia, named a James Beard Award finalist
CLEVELAND, Ohio --Chef Vinnie Cimino of Cleveland’s Cordelia restaurant on East 4th Street was named as a finalist in the 2024 James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category.
Cimino is one of five chef finalists in the Great Lakes region, which covers restaurants in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. One other Ohio chef -- Jose Salazar from Mita’s in Cincinnati -- is also a finalist in the same category. The full list of restaurant and chef award nominees is available at jamesbeard.org.
Cimino partnered with Cordelia owner Andrew Watt to launch the restaurant about two years ago. The two had worked together at the Greenhouse Tavern.
“It was the right time and the right people doing the right things,” he said. Cordelia is less than two years old.
The chef and his family were excited when they heard the news that Cimino was a finalist.
“My reaction will always be amazed and grateful to be doing what I love with so many great people,” he said. “This is for Cordelia. This is for Cleveland/Akron.”
“I think ‘best chef’ isn’t only about cooking, but about leadership and how you take care of your people and always working to be better for our industry.”
The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.
“Congratulations to all of our esteemed honorees and nominees on this remarkable achievement,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “Your vision, and continued dedication to excellence—both on and beyond the plate—make you true leaders of American culinary. Thank you for all you are doing to set a better standard for our industry and broader food system.”
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Tanya Holland, Chair of the James Beard Awards Committee and member of the James Beard Foundation Board of Trustees, also congratulated finalists.
“Despite so many ongoing challenges, this list is a positive reminder of the exceptional talent and dynamism of our industry—it gives me hope for the future of independent restaurants,” she said.
The finalists were announced at a live ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC, this morning. The winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 10, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“It’s been wonderful to hear how Awards recognition has already benefited restaurants and businesses around the country,” said Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards, James Beard Foundation. “We look forward to continuing to use the Awards platform to highlight their impressive accomplishments and work in our industry.”
The Northeast Ohio finalist, Cimino didn’t go to culinary school. He studied political science and philosophy at The Citadel in South Carolina. There, he says, ironically the food was horrible. Instead, he learned his love of food and cooking from his grandparents and learned his culinary prowess on the job.
Among Cimino’s first jobs was waiting tables at Russo’s in Peninsula. That turned into washing dishes which turned into being a fry cook which turned into making salads. Soon he moved full-time from the dining room to the kitchen.
Early in his career he spent six years working for Ken Stewart in Akron. More recently, he was at the now-closed Greenhouse Tavern, also on East 4th Street.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many great people throughout my career,” he said. “Every single person at Cordelia who pushes me to be better each and every day.”