Three Ohio Chefs Earn James Beard Award Finalist Nods

Cleveland and Cincinnati culinary talents recognized among Great Lakes region's best

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering, high-contrast gold sequins, capturing the glamour and prestige of the James Beard Awards.The coveted James Beard Award finalist nods highlight Ohio's rising culinary reputation.Cleveland Today

Three Ohio chefs - Vinnie Cimino of Cleveland's Cordelia, Sarah Dworak of Cincinnati's Sudova, and Jeffery Harris of Cincinnati's Nolia - have been named finalists for the prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category, honoring the top culinary talents in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Why it matters

The James Beard Awards are considered the 'Oscars' of the food world, recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, and excellence in the independent restaurant industry. Being named a finalist is a major career milestone that can significantly boost a chef's profile and restaurant's reputation.

The details

Cimino, Dworak, and Harris were selected as finalists from a pool of semifinalists announced earlier this year. Cimino's Cordelia focuses on seasonal, locally-sourced 'modern Grandma' cuisine, Dworak's Sudova features Eastern European-inspired fare reflecting her Ukrainian heritage, and Harris' Nolia draws heavily from his New Orleans roots and Southern cooking traditions.

  • The 2026 James Beard Award winners will be announced on June 15 in Chicago.
  • Earlier this year, Columbus baker Dan Riesenberger of Dan the Baker - Toast Bar was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category but did not advance to the finalist round.

The players

Vinnie Cimino

The chef at Cordelia in Cleveland, where he focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and 'modern Grandma' cuisine.

Sarah Dworak

The chef and owner of Sudova in Cincinnati, an Eastern European-inspired restaurant that reflects her Ukrainian heritage.

Jeffery Harris

The head chef at Nolia in Cincinnati, where the menu draws heavily from his New Orleans roots and Southern cooking traditions.

Dan Riesenberger

The owner of Dan the Baker - Toast Bar in Columbus, who was named a James Beard Award semifinalist earlier this year in the Outstanding Bakery category.

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What they’re saying

“Being named a James Beard finalist is a true honor and validation of the hard work our team has put in to elevate Cleveland's culinary scene.”

— Vinnie Cimino, Chef, Cordelia

“This recognition means so much, not just for me but for the entire Cincinnati food community. I'm proud to represent our city on the national stage.”

— Sarah Dworak, Chef and Owner, Sudova

“Cooking from the heart and honoring my New Orleans heritage has always been the driving force behind my work. I'm humbled to be considered among the Midwest's best.”

— Jeffery Harris, Head Chef, Nolia

What’s next

The 2026 James Beard Award winners will be announced on June 15 in Chicago.

The takeaway

Ohio's culinary talent is being recognized on the national stage, with three chefs from Cleveland and Cincinnati earning prestigious James Beard Award finalist nods. This highlights the growing reputation of the state's independent restaurant scene and its ability to compete with culinary hubs like Chicago.