Enterprenuer
Anthony Caturano is the chef and owner of four Massachusetts restaurants, Tonno Wakefield and Tonno Gloucester.
He has been creating top-rated Italian cuisine for more than 20 years.
He is a talented chef and entrepreneur who grew up in Revere and Danvers, Massachusetts.
He draws on his Italian heritage and New England seafood to create unique yet comforting dishes.
His restaurants in Lynn, Wakefield, and Gloucester are well-respected for their passion for cooking and ability to connect with customers.
What is the story of Prezza?
I wanted to open a North End restaurant that paid tribute to my Grandmother’s hometown.
Although not all the dishes are from her, the cooking is authentic and reflects how she used to cook.
How do you stay productive?
Every morning, I get up to make breakfast for my children.
After breakfast, I go to the gym, and then it’s off to work.
It’s an excellent way for me to get started in the morning, and it helps me stay focused on the task at hand.
How do you bring ideas to life?
With four restaurants, I’ve found that the best way for ideas to come to life is to involve the staff.
I enjoy asking them questions about their beliefs, what they want to see, and what they think will work.
My ideas are brought to the table, and we mix them all.
This makes the argument more robust, powerful, and inclusive for the entire team.
What’s your favorite trend?
Restaurant owners and managers are facing more challenges.
This is the latest trend. It helps us all be more creative and in touch with the world.
It has helped me refocus on my work, what I need to do and what I need to do next.
What habits make you productive?
Recently, I have tried to improve my communication skills with customers and staff. Communication is key to success.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
I’m not interested in politics, especially if I live in Massachusetts.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
Find mentors for your business and set goals to inspire you.
What’s your rich strategy?
Hire people who are smarter than yourself.
Always hire people who are more skilled in a particular area than you.
How do you overcome Failure?
When I was younger, I opened another restaurant and sought the guidance of a thousand people.
I tried to put it all together to please everyone.
I should have listened to my gut more and made better decisions.
Although it was expensive, I had a better understanding of the vision I had for Tonno when it opened in Gloucester.
I also developed it slowly as I realized the needs.
Can you share a business idea?
All-in-one restaurant management software.
Communication with staff, Point of sale, Reservation software, and an Inventory tool.
Before he arrives, the bartender checks the reservation list and realizes he has run out of Vodka.
He then puts the order on the computer and sends it to the vendor.
All waitstaff get a text message saying the order is canceled and more is being made.
That sentence is where I believe half of the conversations in restaurant operations happen.
What are we missing? What are we doing?
What’s your recent best buy?
So that my wife and I could go out to dinner, I hired a babysitter. A babysitter now gets around $100
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
They are valuable tools for any cloud-based application.
Which book would you recommend?
All I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten. It is a simple collection of essays.
It teaches us how to be kind and take care of each other.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Stupid Hurts”
TL;DR by Anthony Caturano
Your employees are one of the most valuable assets in your company.
Trust your gut when it comes to making decisions.
Keep reading, keep talking, and keep learning.
