About the Chef
Using the motto, "It's all about the guests," Chef Kelley Koppinger has directed her passion to helping develop a great culinary team at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown.
After attaining culinary education at Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, Chef Koppinger began her career in 2000 with Loews Hotels in Orlando, Florida where she assisted in the opening of three resorts.
Working her way up from a sous chef under the guidance of her mentor, Christopher Clark, her enthusiasm, knowledge and culinary passion helped her to quickly develop skills and grow within the field.
During her career she led the opening team for the Westin Downtown Cleveland in Ohio and then worked as Executive Chef for the AC Marriott, Metropolitan at the 9. In 2015 she was presented with the opportunity to be Executive Chef at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown and was tasked with changing the dining experience as well as the culture. Before coming to our hotel, her experiences also included managing culinary teams as Executive Chef in the United States and the Caribbean and serving on the opening team for multiple hotels and outlets as well as Royal Caribbean Cruise ships.
Her culinary and management skills have earned her recognition as:
- 2016 Manager of the Year
- 2017 GCHA Chef of the Year for Greater Chattanooga
- 2017 Stars of the Industry Chef of the Year for Tennessee