HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Rotary Club enjoyed “Cuisine with Martine” at its Feb. 3 luncheon meeting as Martine McCluskey of Houlton was the featured speaker.
McCluskey, who is the wife of rotarian Bill McCluskey, has brought a touch of fine cuisines to the Houlton area once a month as part of a cooking class. A new fun activity to do in Houlton for those who love socializing, trying unique food, or for those who recognize cooking as an art, “Cuisine with Martine” has created an experience that combines all these elements into an enjoyable night out for anyone.
Her menu is creative, her settings are fashionable and her personality is warm and inviting, as she is doing something she loves. Cuisine with Martine has been taking place at Wired Cafe once a month, usually starting at 5 p.m. with eating beginning around 7:30 p.m. Reservations for the class are required.
At the rotary’s luncheon, McCluskey shared her story on how she came to be in Maine. Originally from Haiti, a very poor country but full of beauty, McCluskey came to the United States in 2010 with her daughter after the earthquakes.
In Haiti before the earthquakes, she immersed herself into the life of the arts and artisans after working as a Montessori School teacher. Martine shared pictures of art and inspirational figures who helped her through any challenges she faced in Haiti.
After meeting with many artisans and businesses in Haiti and doing some great networking, she was able gather all the artisans of her town in Haiti under one roof. This art fair was called “Artisanat en Fête.” Buyers from all over Europe, the States and Caribbean would come to the event.
The United States was a big change for Martine and her daughter Tabitha and northern Maine
was an even bigger change from Florida. But Martine, with her love for entertaining, gathering and meeting people has found a way to make her place here in the Houlton community with her husband Bill.
Her love for cooking came from her grandmother, who was fond of French cooking, and Haiti is full of french restaurants. Recently Martine began reaching back to her family in Haiti to gather the family recipes. Cooking and entertaining is something that soothes her, and she wants to share it with all of us.
She is open to doing Christmas parties and private dinners. Her facebook page is “Cuisine with Martine,” and here you can see pictures of her lovely dinners, and find out when her delicious events will be taking place. Martine has completed seven dinners with up to eight people max, and her next night is Valentine’s Day.
