NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 24, 2022) – Created and operated by independent hotel and restaurant team Makeready, Noelle has announced the appointment of Chris Neff as its new executive chef. With a commitment to offering unique experiences that are locally curated with the city in mind, Neff is responsible for overseeing all culinary operations at the boutique hotel’s collection of food and beverage experiences.
“Chef Neff’s creativity, attention to detail and desire to constantly elevate make him the ideal leader for Noelle’s culinary operations,” said Brad Stewart, general manager of food & beverage. “We take tremendous pride in our food and beverage experiences and Chef’s passion for an outstanding guest experience for both locals and visitors alike make him the perfect choice to lead our team.”
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Neff grew up in a military family and moved around frequently in his early years. He spent the majority of his childhood in Florida where he observed the men in his family cooking and during his first job as a busboy in college, discovered his own interest in pursuing culinary arts. He recalls feeling motivated and inspired by the team-driven environment he experienced in the kitchen, which ultimately inspired him to pursue a career as a chef.
“Once I put in the time and effort needed to hone my skills and elevate my palate, that’s when I started to progress quickly,” said Neff. “I let the skill set I developed and my desire to succeed as a chef guide me and over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for elevating simple ingredients and transforming beloved dishes into something new and exciting.”
Bringing nearly two decades of culinary experience to his role, Neff has held various roles in the kitchen with brands including The JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, The Four Seasons, Kimpton and Fifth Group Restaurants, an Atlanta-based fine dining group.
Neff will oversee menus and culinary operations for the celebrated hotel’s signature food and beverage experiences including Makeready Libations & Liberation, where he recently launched an inspired new dinner menu; Trade Room, Noelle’s lobby bar offering a collection of shared plates and entrees; Rare Bird, the rooftop lounge offering a menu of playful snacks and larger plates complemented by a signature cocktail menu, and Drug Store Coffee, the street-level coffee shop that serves an eclectic mix of baked good classics and crafted caffeinated options. Neff also leads culinary service for the hotel’s banquets & catering, weddings as well as in-room dining.
When he’s not at Noelle, Neff enjoys riding his Harley Davidson through the mountains. For more information about Noelle, please visit www.noelle-nashville.com and follow along via Instagram and Facebook.
