E15 Martine McLarney

This week we are joined by Martine McLarney. She has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Martine got her start in the Industry as a bartender and server at the Caledon Inn. It was a Fine Dining establishment upstairs and an English pub downstairs.

Several years later, while Martine was pursuing a post-secondary education in Art & Design, she was hired as a bartender at East Side Mario’s. (Owned by Prime Restaurants at the time - but has since been bought by Recipe Inc.) Eventually, Martine worked her way up through the corporate ladder and became a trainer for their New Store Opening Team. She was promoted to Site Lead for New Store Openings and travelled across Canada opening new restaurants and training their staff, management and franchisees.   

In 2010 Martine had the opportunity with her family to move to Honduras and build something from the ground up.  She lived there for 8 years and together with some partners built the first main land Cruise Ship Port in Honduras. Martine was tasked with building, opening and operating the main attraction, Campo del Mar.  It was a Restaurant, Beach Club, Plantation, Fruit Orchard and had an Animal Rescue Centre.  Martine and her partners also built a Tour Company - Banana Coast Tours. 

In August 2016 Martine gave birth to her son while still in Honduras. At that point, she made the choice to move her family back to Canada as living in a third world country with a child was a whole different ballgame.

Martine has been working for Langdon Hall since her return where she is currently the Dining Room Supervisor. She also recently started a hospitality consulting business - A&M Hospitality with previous podcast guest Aaron Hatchell.

Furthermore, she is studying to become a certified sommelier and has completed a number of different courses and programs:   Court of Master Sommeliers – Introductory Sommelier Certificate Independent Sommelier Guild – Intermediate Wine Certificate Wine & Spirits Education Trust – Award in Sake Level 1 Award in Wine & Spirits Level 2 Award in Wine Level 3

Instagram: @martinemcl @aandmhospitality