Mission, Purpose, Values, Goal
Our Mission: To enrich the lives of all that enter our doors through genuine connection and honest cooking.
Our Purpose: Tonino is founded on the belief that our ability to create positive change is greatest within our direct communities and closest relationships. Tonino is driven by a desire to spark joy in guests and team members alike. We believe the best way to do that is through honest cooking, transparent business practices and passionate storytelling of the land and stewards that provide the ingredients that make all of this possible. In short, the purpose of Tonino is to be a business that nourishes our community in more than one way.
Our Values: Trust, Nourish, Community, Intention. Read more about each of these values below.
Trust: verb + noun; “Choosing to risk making something you value vulnerable to another person’s actions.” - Charles Feltman.
* Note his definition of distrust: “what is important to me is not safe with this person in this situation (or any situation).”
Trust is a study of opposites: sacred yet secular; strong but fragile; transparent yet unseen. Trust is how 1+1 = 3.
Trust is built through words and actions that reflect our true character. For this reason, honesty is the only policy.
Trust is a constant work in progress and a hard one at that; as hard as it is to earn someone’s trust, only one misstep can make it dissolve. We do not take the trust you place in us lightly and promise to protect this gift at all costs. In return, please respect the trust we place in you. Do not abuse it.
Trust enables us to be proud of what we do, while remaining humble in our actions and words. We trust in the greatness of each other, we do not need to prove it.
What is trust made up of? We like Brene Brown’s BRAVING list which applies to the trust built between others and the trust built with yourself.
Nourish: verb; to promote healthy growth.
Fresh, high-quality ingredients nourish our bodies and keep our energy high. Meals with loved ones keep our spirits high. What we do has the power to nourish us in more than one way.
Strong relationships with our growers, farmers, and mongers nourish our connection to the land and support local food systems.
A steadfast commitment to help our neighbors nourishes Jamaica Plain’s dynamic culture and tight knit community of small businesses.
We care about each other’s well-being and energy by respecting work boundaries. In the words of the wise Martha Hoover, we “do not sow seeds of discontent.”
The grim reality of news cycles we face each day isn’t easy; we nourish joy in our guests and team members’ lives by creating a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that eases stress rather than contributes to it.
We seek opportunities for business growth because the business is our lifeline to everything else. The business is how we employ you, how we protect food systems, and how we can also continue to nourish our communities. Every decision we make must have the business in mind.
We nourish each team member’s own professional goals and help them develop life skills through monthly team meetings, 90-day performance evaluations for each employee, and defined professional mobility paths. We encourage employees to continuously share business ideas, constructive criticism and best practices for the betterment of the business and team. Your management will do the same. In short, we share because we care.
Community: noun; to foster a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common interests, and goals.
A steadfast commitment to help our neighbors nourishes Jamaica Plain’s dynamic culture and tight knit community of small businesses.
We uphold a safe and comfortable work environment that encourages team members to come to work as themselves.
We look after each other and ourselves by building a safe, empowering and uplifting work culture. This means our culture is free of hatred and bigotry.
We celebrate each other’s successes and milestones. We support each other in times of need and stress.
Intention: noun; a determination to act in a purposeful way.
Intention is the core principle to mise en place: which is the french philosophy of gathering all your ingredients into one place before you begin to cook. But more than that, mise en place is a state of mind that prepares us to act with ease and grace. We urge you to apply it to all aspects of life; not just in the kitchen or on the floor.
We use our resources with intention. This includes our people, product and profits. This includes time and movement. This includes words, actions and yes, even thoughts.
When we act with intention, we reduce friction and increase ease of movement individually and with the team. Coming to work focused, energized and with a positive attitude allows you to act with greater intention through all aspects of the job.
Our Goal: To design a sustainable, community-centered business from the values listed above.