Chef and Owner of the North Restaurant in Barrie and another three different locations for Maple Canadian Pub.

Marco Ormonde is an award-winning chef that just loves food, creating new dishes using fresh, local ingredients and recipes that draw on both old and new-world traditions.

His passion for food started at the very young age of 10yrs,learning with his grandmother in Portugal the old methods of making bread and other goods. Marco moved to Toronto with his family and started working at Pearson International Airport in the production kitchen, where his mother was also working.

At the age of 17, Marco was offered a culinary apprenticeship with Humber College.

In 2000, he applied at Hilton Hotels &Resorts – for TUNDRA sous chef position– he ended up opening the new fine dinning restaurant in the Hotel and later became the chef de cuisine for Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

Few years later, he began this journey at Atmospheres – Metropolitan Hotel –as a chef de cuisine – a year later becoming the Executive Chef after Chef Patrick’s departure – Atmospheres then achieves 4 stars under Marco’s leadership.

 After leaving Atmospheres, Marco became Executive Chef at Distillery District in Toronto. There he became in charge of three restaurants, and all their patios.

He keeps moving to bigger projects, this time at Delta Hotel – Marco became the executive chef of the Group of Hotels.

Then back to fine dinning and he became executive chef at Monsoon Restaurant.

At this time he began the work of opening his own restaurant in Barrie ON – 14 years later his business is known as The North Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant that embodies Marco’s character. Considered one of the best Restaurants in Barrie, known for the atmosphere, artistic dishes and unique flavors. The North also caters to private events from small parties to big events, weddings, and more.

Three years ago, Marco decided after falling in love with the Town of Midland ON, that his vision was to open a restaurant catering to all ages with a more laid back environment, with the goal of educating people on delicious fresh food that can be found in Canada, without going to far and using local products.

The first Maple Canadian Pub opens in the heart of downtown. After being so well received by the community for his creativity and fresh food, he proudly announces two new locations in 2020, this time with the support of Maple Leaf’s Marina – Maple at Wye Heritage Marina and Maple at South Bay Cove, Port Serven.

The North Restaurant and Maple Canadian Pub are a big family with the main goal of offering to their guests the best experiences with a touch of modern creativity at the North or the simplicity of good Canadian Tradition at the Pubs.

"Feed the soul not the hunger" – Marco Ormonde