Vinnie Cimino named James Beard Award finalist

State of play: Cimino is representing the Great Lakes region, which includes chefs from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

• The five finalists include two chefs from Cincinnati and two from Chicago.

Between the lines: Cleveland's Mallorca was named a semifinalist in the hospitality category, but did not advance.

Context: Last year, Edwins founder Brandon Chrostowski won a James Beard Foundation Impact Award, which for the first time recognized individuals and organizations pushing for equity and sustainability in the restaurant industry.

💭 Sam's thought bubble: I recently drove by the Willis Tower in downtown Chicago, where Sawyer now runs an upscale restaurant called Kindling.

Flashback: Sawyer won a James Beard Award in 2015, but left Cleveland in 2020 after racking up more than $1.5 million in debt at Greenhouse Tavern, Trentina and Noodlecat.

What's next: The James Beard winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 15.