Steven Kwan’s fiancee Samantha spotlights chef Vinnie Cimino’s culinary triumph

One of Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan and his fiancee Samantha's favorite restaurants is Cordelia in Cleveland, Ohio, headed by Chef Vinnie Cimino, who was honored as among the “Best Chef: Great Lakes” category, which highlights culinary talents across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Steven Kwan, who proposed to Samantha in Nov., often goes to the restaurant in the city. So when the news about the latest honor for Chef Vinnie Cimino surfaced, they were one of the most excited.

On Wednesday, Samantha shared the news on social media, expressing her admiration and anticipation for a return visit to Cordelia to enjoy Cimino’s creations.

“Congrats to one of our favorites,” she wrote. "I can't wait to get back and eat with ya," tagging Kwan.

Her post featured a list of celebrated chefs in the Great Lakes category.

Steven Kwan and Samantha's go-to restaurant shares praise for Chef Vinnie Cimino

Apart from Steven Kwan and Samantha, the restaurant, Chef Vinnie Cimino serves, Cordelia Food & Spirits, also posted a congratulatory post.

"It’s hard to put into words how excited and PROUD we are of our guy, our Chef: @chefvinniecimino," the post read, which also thanked all stakeholders involved in the business.

"Thank you to our city, The Land, Cleveland Ohio, our incredible team, and every farmer, purveyor, all our friends and collaborators and makers we work with. Without your support, none of the achievements of the last year and a half would be possible. We Love you ALL. We are honored to be listed among fellow friends and talented Ohioans putting our beautiful state on the map."

Cimino's name was part of "The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards Semifinalists" in the 2024 James Beard Awards.

Here are all the 20 names nominated:

Avishar Barua - Joya's, Worthington, Ohio
Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz - Cafe Mochiko, Cincinnati, Ohio
Vinnie Cimino - Cordelia, Cleveland, Ohio
Diana Dávila Boldin - Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago, Illinois
Salvador Fernandez - Bridges Craft Pizza & Wine Bar, Greencastle, Indiana
Joe Fontelera - Boonie's Filipino Restaurant, Chicago, Illinois
Joe Frillman - Daisies, Chicago, Illinois
Jeffery Harris - Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, Ohio
Doug Hewitt - Freya, Detroit, Michigan
Ji Hye Kim - Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dan Klenotic - Bellflower, Ypsilanti, Michigan
BJ Lieberman - Chapman's Eat Market, Columbus, Ohio
James Martin - Bocadillo Market, Chicago, Illinois
Thomas Melvin - Vida, Indianapolis, Indiana
Jose Salazar - Mita's, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sujan Sarkar - Indienne, Chicago, Illinois
Hajime Sato - Sozai, Clawson, Michigan
Jenner Tomaska - Esmé, Chicago, Illinois
John Yelinek - Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit, Michigan
Donald Young - Duck Sel, Chicago, Illinois

Steven Kwan and Samantha will be rooting for Chef Vinnie Cimino and his restaurant to go deep.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

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Edited by Bhargav