Award Honors Middle Tennessee Chef of the Year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City Center Executive Chef Max Knoepfel is
the recipient of the 2023 American Culinary Foundation Middle Tennessee
Chapter Chef of the Year award. The annual award recognizes the
candidate who has not only influenced the local chapter but also the local
community as well.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers,” Knoepfel said. “My
success is a collaboration with the teams I work with and the amazing
food staples that Middle Tennessee has to offer. I dedicate this award
to young aspiring culinarians and my amazing team at MCC,“ he added.
Affectionately known as “Chef Max,” Knoepfel has been with the
facility since the doors opened in May 2013. His culinary expertise
embodies innovation and sustainability, much to the delight of hundreds
of thousands of convention center guests every year. Under his
leadership, MCC has also developed partnerships with local farms to
supply fresh produce and with local schools to train new talent.
“Chef Max is truly a credit to the industry. He cares about the work,
his customers, the environment, and the community,” said MCC President
and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks. “This is well-deserved,
and we’re excited to see him recognized in this way.”
The ACF Middle Tennessee Chapter is undergoing a revival. The group
hosted a holiday party on Monday, December 11, at the convention center,
to kick off its renewed efforts to bolster local chefs. Knoepfel was
presented with the Chapter Chef of the Year award at the gathering.
“Chef Max has always said “yes” to the chapter. He supports
apprenticeship and education to the highest level,” said ACF Middle
Tennessee Chapter President Thomas Neville. “The vote was
unanimous!”
This is the second honor bestowed on Knoepfel this year. In May, he
received the 2023 International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
Silver Plate Award in the Travel & Leisure category.
About Music City Center
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Music City Center (MCC) is a
2.1 million square foot convention center with more than 353,000 square
feet of exhibit hall space, two ballrooms, 55 meeting rooms, and a
covered parking garage with 1,800 spaces. The mission of MCC is to
create significant economic benefits for the greater Nashville area,
while focusing on community inclusion, sustainability, and exceptional
customer service, through conventions, trade shows, and community
events.
