Tanya McDonough

Director of Operations for the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival

Tanya got her first taste of upscale, unpretentious food and wine service while bartending at Boston’s Radius Restaurant. This was her first real service industry job where her interest in expanding her wine knowledge was piqued.

While working as the Wine Director at Plaza III Steakhouse in Boston, she attended Boston University’s Wine Studies program for 2 years.

It was while working as a Sommelier at Grill 23 in Boston that she was encouraged to become a Certified Sommelier through the Guild of Sommeliers. This was when Tanya knew that restaurant life had seeped into her veins. She went on to open Post 390 as their assistant general manager and later Wine Director for the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Her passion for wine and service brought Tanya to Nantucket to work as Wine Director at Straight Wharf and Ventuno restaurants. It was here that Tanya was recognized as StarChefs, Coastal New England’s Rising Star sommelier.

In 2017, Tanya and her two partners took over the iconic Nantucket Club Car Restaurant and Piano Bar, where she built and curated one of Nantucket's more interesting wine lists.

After moving on from restaurant ownership, Tanya was asked to be the Wine Director at Nantucket’s Cru Restaurant, where wine is a major part of the dining culture.

Today, Tanya is the Director of Operations for the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival.