Page 11 - Leisure Living Magazine August 2018

Chef in the Spotlight
Chef Lin Repko Of Martino’s International Café
By JD Noll, Feature & Food Writer
Traveling the globe is not necessary to taste great foods. Visit Martino’s International Café in picturesque Vermilion to indulge in a variety of authentic delights from tried and true, home- made recipes.
Living in Lorain, the home to the International Festival, Jim Trinter has owned Martino’s International Cafe since 1996. He wants “to provide the best food and service anywhere” and cites their motto, “Come taste a touch of the world.” Contributing to Martino’s success is Thai chef and catering manager, Varinda (Lin) Repko.
Born in 1965, and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, the diminutive Lin says, “My life revolved around cooking.” The youngest of nine children, she learned her skills following her mother who was a line cook in the Royal Grand Palace. In 1986 Lin married Robert Repko from Lorain and, eventually, in 1998 relocated to his hometown in the United States.
A member of the Martino’s team since 2008, Lin was formerly associated with Lorain’s Pine Garden Restaurant for four years, and Holiday Inn for a total of 8 years. It was here that she perfected her American food preparation skills and received monthly and yearly accolades. She credits her style to the training she received through their in-house food safety and prop- er procedures program. Today, Lin preps and
Chef Lin Repko
cooks foods along with a staff of four others from a menu crafted by Trinter who says, “Lin has enhanced our international menu with her Thai recipes and (Wednesday) weekly specials.” She has catered events flawlessly for up to 400 people and loves using her artistic creativity carving fruit and vegetables for striking, edible centerpieces. Besides her Thai recipes, Lin prepares the restau- rant’s signature spaghetti sauce, lasagna, meatloaf, chicken paprikash and soups. Grinding fresh
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FUN FACTS - Chef Lin Repko
Age: 53
Music: Listening to and singing Thai music, the Beatles and BeeGees
Food: Ho mok pla (steamed curry fish), and cabbage and noodles
Hobby: Crocheting
Comments: People say she is a workaholic
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