Ohio chef named best new chef by Food and Wine magazine

CLEVELAND — A northeast Ohio chef just snagged a big award and put a downtown restaurant on Ohio’s must-try list.

Akron native Vinnie Cimino is the chef at Cleveland restaurant Cordelia. He’s been on his culinary journey for 17 years.

“Our goal was to, you know, celebrate our heritage, celebrate our midwestern roots,” said Cimino.

He and his business partner, Andrew Watts, opened the downtown restaurant a little more than three years ago.

“Welcoming into the community of food, wine and to be amongst a class of so many incredible people pushing our industry forward has been, you know, really heartwarming to be a part of,” said Cimino.

Cimino was recently announced as one of 10 Best New Chefs from across the country by Food and Wine magazine.

“There was no application, there was no nothing, and they go out and they former best new chefs, they vet restaurants,” said Cimino.

To be the best new chef, the recipient must be the head of a kitchen or pastry program for five years or fewer, show culinary innovation and their work must be recommended by past winners and food writers. Vinnie said his name may be on the award, but it wouldn’t be possible without the help of the people he works with.

“Everything we do is a lot of hard work and effort every single day,” said Cimino. “The biggest thing that we always preach that a good team goes a long way. You know, we are the sum of our parts. Our team here makes up this restaurant every single day, day in and day out.”

While Cimino focuses on the food, he still makes sure his customers, like Shawnda Moye, enjoy his creations.

“The food is phenomenal,” said Moye. “It, you know, they are doing great work here. I love the fact that they are so focused on like supporting local producers, local farms, local makers.”

Moye said her favorite dish is the carrot muhammara, and Cimino’s award is not a surprise.

“Very well deserved,” said Moya. “He’s been working his butt off, and it definitely shows in the food, just all the details in the restaurant.”

Cimino said this award wasn’t one he thought he would ever be awarded.

“Never in my wildest dreams that I imagined that we were being in consideration for a Food and Wine Best New Chef,” he said.

Cimino is the third Ohioan to be named Best New Chef by Food and Wine. The other two were Michael Symon in 1998 and Jonathon Sawyer in 2010.