Three Ohio chefs tapped as James Beard Award finalists

Three Ohio chefs are headed to the national stage after earning nominations for the 2026 awards from the James Beard Foundation, one of the highest honors in the culinary industry.

The annual awards recognize standout chefs and restaurants across the country, celebrating excellence, leadership and innovation in the independent restaurant industry. Winners will be announced June 15 at a ceremony in Chicago.

In the Best Chef: Great Lakes category (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), Cleveland chef Vinnie Cimino and Cincinnati chefs Sarah Dworak and Jeffery Harris all received finalist nods. The remaining finalists in the category are based in Chicago.

Cimino is the chef at Cordelia in Cleveland, where he focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and what the restaurant describes as “modern Grandma” cuisine. 

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

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

Columbus baker Dan Riesenberger, owner of Dan the Baker – Toast Bar, did not advance to the finalist round in the Outstanding Bakery category after being named a semifinalist earlier this year. 

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