Martin hails from Bonn, Germany, where the family restaurant, Im Steinhaus, has been owned and operated by his family for almost 200 years. With cooking in his blood, Martin studied at Steigenberger Hotel Management School and then took his chef training at the Hotel Bristol in Bonn. His European career involved preparing meals for the King and Queen of Sweden and at Nobel Prize festivities, as well as working in Michelin-starred establishments and achieving his Master Chef Diploma.

The starting point for his Canadian cooking career was at Le Crocodile in Vancouver, BC, in 1994. From there, Martin became the executive chef at The Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel from 1994 to 1999. He then spent a year as executive chef at The Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, BC, before moving to Calgary where he has been the executive chef at The Westin Calgary since 2000.

Married with four children, Martin takes time to enjoy his family, the outdoors and nature. He mixes his European sensibilities with Western Canadian ingredients and finds inspiration in the light style of West Coast cuisine.

Aside from his work with Culinary Team Alberta, Martin is also a member of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation Fédération Culinaire Canadienne (CCFCC). In addition to his hotel restaurant being awarded the 2003 Best Hotel Dining designation, Martin has personally be recognized as 2004 Educator of the Year and 2005 Chef of the Year by The Calgary Academy of Chefs and Cooks and the CCFCC, and as 2005 Calgary Iron Chef.