"Chef" Of the Week

Last week Patch.com started a Newton, MA chapter and local writer/teacher/foodie Wendy Schapiro was asked to check out the local food scene. After coming in once for a brief breakdown of Chipotle stats/facts, she then decided to come back to interview me. She was asked by her boss to interview a local chef, and although I definitely do NOT consider myself a chef by any means, I was flattered nonetheless. I still havn't figured out why she picked me over any of the other 'chef's in Newton for her debut article, but something tells me the energy brewing at Needham St. has something to do with it.

CIA Graduate Has a Passion For Chipotle
by Wendy Schapiro

With a name like Nick Norton, you'd think that the manager of the Newton Chipotle would have come from the other CIA, but he actually graduated this past May from the Culinary Institute of America.

While his classmates looked for jobs at fine dining restaurants and apprenticed with master vintners and cheese makers, according to Norton there was never any question that he wanted to work for Chipotle.

Norton was on a school trip to California when he first tasted Chipotle's "fast food," a label which Norton says founder Steve Ells wants to improve. Traveling with his CIA teacher and Bravo reality show's Top Chef Season 7 contestant Lynne Gigliotti, Norton had the chance to interview with several food establishments. Chipotle's commitment to "food with integrity" and their comfortable work environment really stood out.

"I fell in love right away," Norton said, speaking about his initial interview at the Framingham store. "Everyone there was having a good time."

Norton also felt that being able to live his ideal of working with fresh food and give customers a way to eat healthy was in perfect sync with Chipotle's corporate commitment to "food with integrity." This concept is going to become even more central to their marketing and menu in the near future, reports Norton.

Norton's interest in the food industry began when he was 16; he was denied a busboy job and instead, hired as a dishwasher. This led to Nick's realization that working in a kitchen and being around food was how he wanted to spend the rest of his professional life.

"I would go behind the line and I was just mesmerized," says Norton. "After a month I started doing sandwiches…I don't want to say it was life-changing, but it was."

A mentoring chef at this first job encouraged Norton to apply to the Culinary Institute of America where he found many more role models. Chef Theodore Roe of the American Bounty restaurant, also a CIA graduate, was tough but fair, says Norton; he told his students what they needed to hear in order to do the best job they could. He now bases his own management style on how he saw Roe deal with his students.

"You can't talk to everyone the same way," says Norton. "Each person gets inspired by something different."

He gives the example of some people responding better to praise and encouragement while others need a bit more of a hard line, disciplinary approach. Either way, Norton gets what he wants from his workers while leaving them feeling good about themselves and their job.

Co-worker and friend Antonia Mariani agrees.

"I have never seen someone so committed to Chipotle as (Norton)," she says with a grin. "His passion comes out in everything he does."

She added that while Norton is the "boss," he is never overbearing and often helps out on the line.

This enthusiastic approach to his job also helps Norton when he's out in the community. He recently worked at the Newton Community Farm and helped children plant cilantro which will be harvested and used in the Newton Chipotle.

Norton also recently served burritos at the Life is Good Festival, and notes Chipotle's annual presence at Boston's Gay Pride Festival.

"I live Chipotle seven days a week," says Norton. "I love coming to work, that's all. I even eat here on my days off, actually."

Look for Norton, Mariani and the rest of the Chipotle crew – as well as some tasty, fresh Mexican fare- at 300 Needham Street in Newton Highlands. To learn more about Chipotle and their food philosophy, visit the restaurant's website.


About this column:
Local resident and foodie Wendy Schapiro chats with Newton chefs about their restaurant, their cooking, their passions and best of all, what makes them hungry.

Pretty cool article. Check out the original link here, (http://newton.patch.com/articles/cia-graduate-has-a-passion-for-chipotle), and a little about the author here, (http://newton.patch.com/users/wendy-schapiro).


Secret of the Week: