C
hris Moore, Sevier County resident and executive chef at the Knoxville Convention Center (KCC), was recognized by the Knoxville Tourism Alliance and the University of Tennessee Tourism Institute with a 2011 Pauly Award for community service.
The Pauly Awards, named in honor of local tourism leader Paul Sherbakoff, honor those who help represent the best of Knoxville in the hospitality and tourism industry.
“He is a master in the kitchen,” said KCC eneral Manager Mary Bogert. “But he is equally talented in making a positive impact on individuals in need through his work with the Abundant Life Kitchen, Knox Area Rescue Ministries and Second Harvest Food Bank.”
For the past two years, Moore has volunteered as a mentor for the Abundant Life Kitchen culinary training program. This partnership between Knox Area Rescue Ministries and Second Harvest provides an opportunity for the unemployed by training them for work in the food services industry. Participants complete 12 weeks of classroom instruction and culinary lab training in the commercial kitchen at the Convention Center, followed by an internship at the KCC or other local business.
“Chef Moore not only teaches these men and women how to work in a commercial kitchen,” said Bogert. “He also becomes a mentor and personal role model. He has had a positive influence on 40 students over the past two years, and has changed lives through this ministry.”
In addition to his work with the Abundant Life Kitchen, Moore sees that the surplus food from his kitchen goes to Second Harvest Food Bank. The KCC is one of the largest contributors of prepared food to Second Harvest, which helps the charity feed the hungry throughout East Tennessee.
The Pauly Awards were presented at a luncheon May 5 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Barbara Dooley, mother of University of Tennessee’s Head Football Coach Derek Dooley, was the keynote speaker for the event. Additional winners are as follows:
- Lodging General Manager of the Year: Michael Parisi, general manager, Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park
- Restaurant General Manager of the Year: Paul Hohe, general manager, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
- Museum/Attraction of the Year: Knoxville Zoo
- Service/Supplier of the Year: Print Distribution
- Lodging Employee of the Year: Meagan Bain, Courtyard by Marriott Alcoa
- Restaurant Employee of the Year: Brenda Herron, Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants
- Service/Supplier of the Year: Todd Gilday, Ecolab
- Volunteer of the Year: J.K. Harrill, Volunteer Team Knoxville
- Friendliest Face: Charles Frazier, Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park
Eligible Pauly Award winners are automatically submitted for the Stars of the Industry state awards sponsored by the Tennessee Hospitality Association.
The Knoxville Convention Center, managed by SMG, is located in downtown Knoxville adjacent to the Sunsphere. It boasts an 119,922-square-foot exhibit hall, a 27,300-square-foot divisible ballroom and 18 meeting rooms. For more information, visit http://www.knoxvilleconventioncenter.com.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides management services to over 200 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, theatres and convention, conference and trade centers. As the recognized industry leader since 1977, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales and marketing and event booking and programming. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through our in house catering company, Savor…catering by SMG, currently servicing 66 accounts worldwide. With facilities across the United States, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, SMG controls over 1.5 million entertainment seats worldwide and manages more than ten million feet of exhibition space.
