3 Ohio restaurant chefs nominated for the 2026 James Beard Awards
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards have been announced and three Ohio chefs have landed on this prestigious list.
This prize is one of the culinary world’s most closely watched honors, and recognizes excellence in the restaurant industry. They are often described as the “Oscars” of the culinary arts and two Atlanta spots made the cut for 2026.
The Ohio nominees for best chef: Great Lakes category
Vinnie Cimino at Cordelia
- 2058 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115
- Cordelia online
Cordelia honors a family matriarch who helped shape the values of care, community, and homestead cooking, and carries that spirit forward through a scratch kitchen led by Chef Vinnie Cimino.
The restaurant focuses on seasonal produce from local farmers, reimagined heritage-inspired dishes and cocktails, and a menu it calls “Modern Grandma,” earning recognition from Cleveland Magazine and Tasting Table.
Sarah Dworak at Sudova
- 22 W Court St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Sudova online
Sudova is known for Eastern European and Ukrainian-inspired dishes that blend family heritage with a polished, modern approach.
The menu highlights recipes and techniques passed down through generations, with house-made pierogi, borscht, brisket stroganoff, and khachapuri among the dishes drawing national attention
Jeffrey Harris at Nolia Kitchen
- 1405 Clay St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Nolia Kitchen online
Nolia serves Southern favorites with creative twists, drawing inspiration from Chef Jeff Harris’ New Orleans upbringing and his travels throughout the South.
The restaurant aims to create a warm, welcoming experience built around generous food, genuine hospitality, and a sense of home.
The James Beard Awards
Founded in 1990, the James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, and other food-industry leaders across several categories.
Outstanding category
- Restaurateur
- Chef
- Restaurant
- Bakery
- Hospitality
- Bar
- Professional in Beverage Service
- Professional in Cocktail Service
Best of Category
- New Restaurant
- Chef: Northeast
- Chef: Mid-Atlantic
- Chef: South
- Chef: Midwest
- Bet Chef: Southwest
- Chef: West
- Chef: New York State
- Chef: Southeast.
- Chef: Great Lakes.
- Chef: California.
- Chef: Texas.
- Chef: Pacific Northwest.
Emerging Chef category
See the results
The winners
The winners of the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards will be announced on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The James Beard Foundation says the announcement will be part of the ceremony in Chicago, where the results will be revealed live.
How to follow
You can find the winners on the James Beard Foundation’s official website and awards pages, which post nominee and winner updates. The foundation’s awards page also lists the ceremony date and the latest key announcements, so that is the best place to check on June 15 for the full results.
Have you eaten at a James Beard award-winning restaurant? Tell me all about it. Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published April 8, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "3 Ohio restaurant chefs nominated for the 2026 James Beard Awards."