It’s been nine years since a Cleveland chef last took home a James Beard Award. But this week, the Beard Foundation released its narrowed-down list of just five semifinalists — and chef Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia on East Fourth Street made the cut. “Being nominated for a James Beard Award was beyond my wildest dreams and expectations,” Cimino says, “especially for being open for just a year and a half.” In January, the James Beard Foundation named Cimino one of 20 semifinalists in the category of Best Chef: Great Lakes, which encompasses the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. He’s the only Cleveland chef to receive a nomination, though chef Jose Salazar of Cincinnati is also a finalist. “I’m not a spring chicken,” says the chef, 40. “I’ve worked for so many people, and Cordelia is the first time I’ve been able to do my own thing on my own terms. But you don’t set out to [win an award]; you don’t ever expect it. So I’m just completely in shock.” 🔗 Read more at the link...