How To Be Midwest Nice
Chef Vinnie Cimino on building Cleveland's best restaurants by putting people first every single time.
A little housekeeping: I’ll be taking the week off next week to enjoy the stunning foods, culture, and desert landscapes of New Mexico! There will not be an episode or newsletter released. I can’t wait to see how inspired I feel with some R&R and hope you all feel the same for this holiday weekend. XOXO
When I went to college in the Bay Area, I didn’t realize there was a way of being “Midwestern.” I certainly was lovingly teased for an accent I didn’t realize was there, coaxed into saying certain words. And I remember an instance or two when I was asked to chat with hostesses at restaurants during long waits. “Go do your nice Midwestern thing.” By the way, I find Californians to be lovely people, so I didn’t realize there was a way to be “Midwestern Nice.”
I discussed this with my wonderful guest this week, Chef Vinnie Cimino. Vinnie is born and raised in Ohio, and also adventured outside the Midwest for school, only to return home and open two of the best restaurants not only in the region, but the country. He has been nominated for a third James Beard award this year, and we’ll find out together in a few weeks in Chicago if they finally decide to give Ohio some hardware!
I was fascinated by his team’s philosophy that their mission is to be “Midwest Nice.” That everyone who enters their spaces and joins them for a meal is given the kindness, respect, and comfort they deserve.
We did make the point though, and maybe this is the Chicago in me, that Midwest nice doesn’t just mean we’ll roll over for anyone. We’re not doormats. We want to provide you with a good time and be kind (even at my own kitchen counter) because we’ve all worked so hard to just be recognized as good enough. We don’t want anyone else to feel the same.
My Midwestern roots aren’t about being Jello (though, there is a salad or two at every holiday with that as a primary ingredient). I was imbued with the sense that there will always be tough times throughout life, and we can get through them with grit, hard work, and the people around us. And our specialty? Doing it with a smile on our faces.
For my Real Housewives fans, here’s a little callback. As Dorinda Medley says, we don’t just “make it nice!” We make it Midwest Nice.
Enjoy the episode and I’ll be in touch with you all in June!
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