Music City Center Executive Chef Receives IFMA Silver Plate Award

Award Honors Top Foodservice Operators.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City Center Executive Chef Max Knoepfel is the recipient of the 2023 International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Silver Plate Award. The coveted award recognizes extraordinary operator executives in various foodservice categories.

“I’m humbled and ecstatic by this honor. So many great hospitality leaders have won this award,” Knoepfel said. “I look forward to many more years of being a good steward of the industry,“ 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 with intentional use of seasonal produce and local flavor. Under his leadership, every meal at MCC, from causal to fine dining, is plated to perfection.

“We’re extremely proud to have Chef Max on our team, and this is a well-deserved honor for him,” said MCC President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks. “He has been instrumental in what we have been able to achieve with our exceptional food and beverage services.”

Knoepfel is one of nine IFMA Silver Plate Award winners revealed Tuesday at the association’s 2023 Chain Operators EXchange (COEX) in Tampa, Florida.

“The Awards celebrate the best of food-away-from-home leadership and we’re very proud of the longevity and industry-wide respect the Awards have maintained,” said IFMA President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Kafarakis.

The 69th Annual IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will take place on Saturday, May 20, in Chicago. For more information on the 2023 IFMA Silver Plate Award winners, visit https://www.ifmaworld.com/fresh-on-ifma/ifma-announces-2023-ifma-silver-plate-award-winners.

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 benefit for the greater Nashville area, while focusing on community inclusion, sustainability, and exceptional customer service, through conventions, trade shows, and community events.

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