Cordelia chef Vinnie Cimino becomes a Swensons car-hopper for restaurant collab 🍔
It was all hustle and bustle at the West Akron Swensons on June 1, and not just because of the weekly post-church rush.
People nearly filled the parking lot to try the new pimento burger and dip created from Swensons' collaboration with Akron-born chef Vinnie Cimino, who co-founded Cordelia Restaurant at 2058 E. Fourth St. in Cleveland.
To kick off the month-long collaboration, Cimino, along with some of his Cordelia team , became curb-servers for a few hours at the Swensons West Akron location at 40 S. Hawkins Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who is chef Vinnie Cimino?
Most recently, Cimino was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for his work at Cordelia.
The 42-year-old now lives in Highland Square, but grew up in Akron's Ellet neighborhood. Growing up, he learned the ropes of the restaurant business at his paternal grandparents' restaurant, the former Bellie's Deli in Kent.
Cimino said staying grounded, humble and appreciative of those around him has been critical to his career. The chef connects success in the restaurant scene to wrestling, a sport he participated in for 16 years.
"When you're on the mat, you're by yourself, but to win a match, you have to win as a team," he said. "Cooking is kind of the same way. When you're on a station you're there by yourself, but you're putting food up together as a team."
What is the collaboration menu at Swensons?
Starting June 1 and running − like Cimino - through June 30, Swensons will be offering the Chef Vinnie-curated Pimento Burger with his signature pimento cheese and green Kool-Aid pickles for $7.99.
Why vibrant green Kool-Aid Pickles? Growing up, Cimino's grandmother would often put various flavors of Kool-Aid packets in store-bought pickles as a tasty treat.
Customers can also order the chef's pimento cheese served with saltines for $5.99 at all of Swensons' family-owned carhop restaurants.
One Akron family enjoyed both creations. Swensons lovers Ashley and Tom Haskins dined at Cordelia once and liked it, so the collaboration piqued their interest.
"We were so excited when Swensons said they were teaming up with them," Ashley said. "It's something a little bit different."
Guests also received a free pint glass, featuring both the Swensons and Cordelia logos, with the purchase of a peach cobbler milkshake or peach lemonade whip, the chain's LTO drinks for June.
What is the collaboration menu at Cordelia?
As part of the partnership, Cimino is adding Swensons-inspired dishes to his menu in June.
The new Cordelia offerings will include oysters with California granita and lemon zest, a Galley Boy tartare (piquillo pepper, romesco, barbecue sauce, olive mayo), banana ice cream with peanut butter swirl and French fry potato alongside a California slush float.
And to mark the end of the collaboration, the Swensons food truck will be parked outside of Cordelia on East Fourth in Cleveland on June 30 serving up the chain's signature Galley Boys.
Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Swensons and Cordelia chef Vinnie Cimino kick off month-long collab
