OVG, the provider of Venue Management to the Owensboro Convention Center, welcomes Chef Michael Thorp as its new Executive Chef. Thorp brings classical training, extensive culinary leadership, and a passion for regional ingredients and modern American cuisine.
The addition of Chef Michael marks a renewed focus on the Owensboro Convention Center’s culinary program and its commitment to providing exceptional food for guests. His approach will bring greater creativity and attention to detail to the menus served at events throughout the facility.
For clients planning meetings, conventions, weddings, and community events, that means more thoughtful menus and greater flexibility. It also creates more opportunities to build menus around each event’s needs. For the public, the focus will bring new dining experiences to community events held at the Convention Center.
“We want the food we serve to match the quality of the events held here,” said Jeff Esposito, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center. “Our goal is to raise the standard of our culinary program. Chef Michael brings the experience and creativity to help us do that. This is about giving our clients more options and giving guests another reason to enjoy coming here.”
Chef Michael’s approach to food began on his grandparents’ dairy farm in Southern Illinois. There, he learned the work and planning required to bring food to the table. Those lessons shaped his respect for ingredients, producers, and the people behind each meal.
His classical French culinary education took him to Provence, France, where he worked at Domaine de Valmouriane, a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant. Thorp’s culinary career has also included roles at notable venues such as The Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri.
Throughout his career, he has remained committed to creating dishes that go beyond the plate—bringing together technique, creativity and a deep respect for ingredients to create memorable dining experiences. Whether executing exclusive private dining experiences or black-tie galas for hundreds, he brings a relentless drive to push the boundaries of modern hospitality.
Chef Michael’s combination of classic European techniques with modern American cuisine has led to him being a recipient of the prestigious Best Chef Award, by SKYHA (Southern Kentucky Hospitality Association) in 2026.
Beyond his own kitchens, Chef Michael is a driving force in the broader culinary community. He is a highly sought-after consultant and actively engages in high-profile collaborations on both local and national levels. By partnering with fellow industry leaders, purveyors, and hospitality innovators, he continuously works to elevate the standard of modern gastronomy and share knowledge across the industry. With a robust history of kitchen leadership, operations management, and culinary education, Chef Michael’s career is defined by precision and a passion for regional terroir.
At the Owensboro Convention Center, Thorp will lead the culinary team and help shape its next chapter. His work will focus on quality, creativity, and menus that serve both event clients and the Owensboro community.