Forever Dancin' With the GrooGrux King

passion-a strong and barely controllable emotion.

I was recently reading a friend's blog, and on it, she wrote "I don’t find passion in anything the way I used to."

I hope I never feel like this. There are few things in this world that I love, that I feel passionate about. But those things bring me so much joy, sometimes it's hard to describe to other people. To think that some people go through life not having something they love, it's actually quite depressing, quite lonely.

It seems like many people wake up every day, go to work, come home, 'play house' with their spouse, and go to sleep. They live their mundane lives day in and day out, nothing ever changing. I feel like with whatever I do, I need something to look forward to in life. Whether it be anticipating the release of a new album, getting excited when a new piece of Batman info leaks, or waking up early to scrub the baseboards in the walk-in cooler.

I suppose people's passions/preferences can change over time, but I'm pretty content right now. I do what I like, and I like what I do.

Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but I hope my passion for the Dave Matthews Band never fades. 16 shows in 5 summers, with no end in sight. I feel like every time I go to another show, it just re-sparks my interest. I fall in love all over again, and crave it even more. 2011 will be a long year, so I'll see you all in 2012.

"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:

Thoughts on Immigration

Excuse me while I ramble for a second.

7 months ago I'm not really to sure I had an opinion on the rights of illegal immigrants in this country, (or any, for that matter). In fact, I know I still have a lot to learn in regards to the matter.

What I do know is, these people work harder then anyone else I know. These people know the value of a dollar, and will pour their heart and soul into a job that is suited for them.

They come from all different parts of the world for a better way of life, to live the 'American Dream'. They pay thousands of dollars to get here, then go through the hassle of creating fake documents just to survive and find a job.

I'm not to sure where I'm going with this blog to be honest. I'm going to commit now to learning more on the subject, and educating myself as much as I can. I wish it were easier for these people to obtain a stable way of life.



Le amamos M**** O****.

The Man Who Saved My Life

At the age of 15 or so I discovered Pink Floyd.

I must have bought Dark Side on CD for my Dad as a gift a few years before. I didn't really pay much attention, but some of the songs are ok. Actually, my first memory goes way back. I remember listening to Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2 when we had JR, so I couldn't have been any older then five.

For whatever reason, my interests/tastes in music started changing when I got to high school. Like a lot of kids now, I went through a very strict Beatles/Floyd/Zeppelin stage. I still LOVE all of these bands, but I feel like that classic rock sound was IT during my teenage years, and nothing else really mattered.

There was something about the Floyd that really stuck out to me. They seemed....different, smart. Their core albums came together as pieces and as a unit. Each song flowing into the next, the music never ceasing. All amazing in their own right, but none of them as influential as The Wall.

From sophomore year through graduation...this was my go-to album. As far as I was concerned, nothing else mattered. Crafted solely at the hands of leader/bassist Roger Waters, telling the story of a washed up rock star looking back at what brought him to his isolation.

I always felt like Waters was talking directly to me. Like he knew exactly what I was going through. I was by no means a loner, but I wasn't exactly the most popular kid in school. I had my few freakish friends....and that was it. With no nerve to tell my beautiful best friend how I really felt, and a starving Mother that I tried to avoid, I always felt so alone. I could lock myself in my room and drift away to The Wall and everything just seemed alright....

I guess as I grew up, and matured a little bit, I lost touch with some of these feelings, though the album still remains a big part of my life. When I heard that Waters would be doing a tour recreating the album and bringing it back to life, my jaw dropped and I knew I couldn't miss it.

Last night nostalgia (x100) really set in as I sat through the performance in Boston with my Dad. It was so emotional on so many levels, it's hard for me to put into words. The excitement of actually being able to see this come life really floored me. I never thought in a million years I'd see the day.

But at the same time, sadness. Hearing the music and seeing those images brought me back to dark room on Lunns Way and being by myself. Images of her sitting in Mullet's passenger seat pulling out of the PSHS parking lot. Images and nightmares of finding Mom passed out in her room. Threatening to call 911 or finally toss that damn bottle of wine against the concrete floor. It also reminded me that these memories don't really go away, and they crafted the person I am today.

After last night, it donned on me. Roger Water's was the savior of my teenage life, and gave me a reason to wake up every day. I am forever grateful.

Surreal

Steve Ells did a Restaurateur sign off in the Washington DC region last week, and he was on Good Morning America (NYC) today. He is inching ever closer to Boston, and my resume went live this morning after being approved. The planets are aligning, I just hope all of this pays off. Some days I don't think we're ready, but others I have nothing but confidence. Today was one of those days. If he walked in today during lunch service, he would have signed us off, I guarantee it. If we can manage to emulate today's energy 7 days a week, we'll be golden.

In the land of the DMB, I just put my request in for the Nov. 10th show in Boston. (Last DMB show in Boston until 2012), so I have my fingers crossed for that.

After a week full of secrets, I think Frank gets 2 this week.

Checkpoints

"I can't believe that we would lie in our graves, dreaming of things that we might have been..."



The Regional Director made his surprise visit today. He spent most of the day with the crew and interviewed them one by one. It was an emotional day to say the least, but we made the "Now" list. There's a lot of passion and love in that building, and it feels amazing to be a part of it.

The road to Restaurateur continues...

Fast Food Nation

Let me start off by saying,

I LOVE MY JOB!

Perhaps I'm still high off of the trip that was Las Vegas, but I had an absolute blast. The city itself was pretty insane, and the conference was extremely inspirational. Being in a room with 2,000 other people that feel just as passionate about this as I do was awesome.



(As some of you know), I could go on and on about my love for this company. I'm finally starting to realize what it is I love, and it's more then just burritos. Steve has created a culture of people that is unique to Chipotle, and something that is unmatched by any other.

As much as I love this company, for awhile now I've felt like I took the 'easy route'. I graduated from some prestigious school, and decided to throw all my money into fast food. The term fast food usually makes my nose turn away, and I've actually felt embarrassed telling people I work in a fast food industry. I wanted to believe Chipotle wasn't fast food, because I always thought we were 'better' then the rest. This past weekend I realized, we may be 'better' then the rest, but that doesn't mean it's not fast food.

But...just because it's fast, doesn't make it bad. Like Steve has said, just because it was served quickly, doesn't mean a lot of time effort wasn't put into producing the item.

Over the next 20 years or so, I strongly believe Steve Ells and Chipotle are going to change the way the world thinks about fast food. We are currently buying more naturally raised meats then any other restaurant company in the world, while also buying more local produce then any other company in the world. As people become more aware of the food that goes into their body, they are going to have to start making more educated decisions. If the integrity of the food and the people are kept to high standards, great thing are going to happen, and I'll be proud to say I was a part of it.

The Journey to R+ continues

Secret of the week: