Jen Picciano

Reporter

Cleveland, Ohio

Jen Picciano is an Emmy award-winning reporter for WOIO-TV and creator of the restaurant and dining segment Cleveland Cooks.

She is also the author of the food blog Cheftovers.

Picciano is a native of Cleveland, and has spent the last 10 years with CBS 19 as a general assignment field reporter. She is active in the local food scene and has been involved with the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland for several years.

She resides in Mayfield Heights with her husband and her three children.

You can usually find her with a pencil behind her ear and a mic in her hand, or an apron on.

Recent Articles by Jen

168 locally-owned Cuyahoga County restaurants receive $10,000 grants

More than 160 restaurants are getting some much-needed grant money from Cuyahoga County to help them keep the lights on.

Jen Picciano

Published January 15, 2021 at 2:30 PM

Here’s who bought Nighttown in Cleveland Heights

Nighttown owner Brendan Ring is selling the restaurant and several adjacent buildings to investor Rico Pietro.

Jen Picciano

Published January 11, 2021 at 3:44 PM

Countless toys went untested by federal inspectors during the pandemic

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers guidance for parents to make smart purchases of toys, given that many inspectors were not examining products coming in to ports during the COVID pandemic.

Jen Picciano

Published January 6, 2021 at 9:55 AM

Raw material shortages will continue to cause long delays and higher prices for Clevelanders’ home improvement projects

Shortages on lumber, aluminum, textiles and cardboard and causing significant delays for products and an increase in prices.

Jen Picciano

Published December 21, 2020 at 4:09 PM

Solon company applies for emergency use of its super-pulsed laser therapy for critically ill Covid patients

Local lab Multi Radiance Medical is applying for emergency use authorization of its super pulsed laser therapy to treat COVID patients.

Jen Picciano

Published December 14, 2020 at 12:21 PM

Cleveland Chef Dante Boccuzzi starts construction on new East 4th Street restaurant (renderings)

Chef Dante Boccuzzi has begun construction on a new sushi restaurant and speakeasy bar.

Jen Picciano

Published December 8, 2020 at 5:11 PM

Jeremy Piven is in Cleveland to help save ‘one of the best clubs in the country’

Hilarities comedy club is bringing in Jeremy Piven, and others, hoping to survive the COVID downturn.

Jen Picciano

Published December 1, 2020 at 1:43 PM

As COVID-19 changes the Santa Claus experience in 2020, here’s how Mr. Kringle is keeping the magic alive in Northeast Ohio

Several retailers and organizations are offering socially distant or virtual visits with Santa Claus this year.

Jen Picciano

Published November 30, 2020 at 11:52 AM

Clinical insomnia up 37% during pandemic and it’s expected to get worse

Americans are having a hard time sleeping during the pandemic and their sleep problems are expected to get worse.

Jen Picciano

Published November 23, 2020 at 4:09 PM

Michael Symon to close slew of Northeast Ohio restaurants amid COVID-19

The closures represent the loss of 70 jobs.

Avery Williams and Jen Picciano

Published November 20, 2020 at 9:01 AM

Restaurant owners hope installing UV sanitization in HVAC systems will help avoid shutdown

Restaurant owners are installing UV systems in to their HVAC units in hopes of reassuring customers of their safe environment and preventing another shut down.

Jen Picciano

Published November 18, 2020 at 10:50 PM

Local innovation out of Nela Park uses UV light to sanitize businesses

Engineers from GE Current have developed a new product to constantly sanitize the air and surfaces through LED powered UV light.

Jen Picciano

Published November 18, 2020 at 5:49 PM

Northeast Ohio father volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine trial after his 4-year-old son contracts novel coronavirus

His 4-year-old son recovered quickly, but it was enough to inspire Harris to get involved in the fight against the pandemic.

Jen Picciano

Published November 9, 2020 at 10:27 PM

University Hospitals remaining confident, hopeful while analyzing results of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial

University Hospitals is testing a COVID vaccine from Pfizer and they're hopeful it will be one of the first available to first responders and front line workers in early 2021.

Jen Picciano

Published November 3, 2020 at 3:37 PM

Hotel occupancy, bed tax revenue down significantly in Cuyahoga County during COVID-19 pandemic

The Cuyahoga County bed tax revenue is down millions this year, due to low occupancy at hotels.

Jen Picciano

Published October 30, 2020 at 12:53 PM

Record-setting year for visitors setting Cleveland up for a quicker recovery from COVID hospitality losses

Tourism numbers were up again in 2019 in Cuyahoga County, but 2020 is predicted to be down as much at 67%.

Jen Picciano

Published October 27, 2020 at 1:57 PM

Owner of vacant Cleveland building issued strict orders from housing court to improve the property soon

The owners of a vacant building in the Buckeye neighborhood have been ordered to improve the property and pay a $19,000 fine.

Jen Picciano

Published October 23, 2020 at 3:27 PM

Restaurants, bars struggling with availability and pricing of PPE and disinfectant

PPE that restaurants need, like gloves are very expensive during the pandemic, and in short supply.

Jen Picciano

Published October 19, 2020 at 2:54 PM

Ohio alcohol retailers continue to see uptick in sales during pandemic

Retail liquor sales in Ohio have been up for six months, but wholesale is down significantly.

Jen Picciano

Published October 16, 2020 at 3:06 PM

Marble Room set to reopen in November for 1st time since pandemic

Seating is limited due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

Rachel Vadaj and Jen Picciano

Published October 15, 2020 at 11:00 PM

To-go cocktails permanently legal, with 2 big changes, in Ohio now after Gov. Mike DeWine signs HB 669

Unlike the temporary provision where the limit was two drinks, there is now a three drink limit on cocktails that may be sold per meal.

Jen Picciano

Published October 13, 2020 at 5:15 PM

Cleveland Outpost makes outdoor recreation more accessible during pandemic

The Cleveland Outpost is a new outdoor gear exchange store that is making recreation equipment more affordable and providing guidance for people new to these sports.