Meet the Team in Schaumburg
At City Works in Schaumburg, the energy is always high, the beer taps never stop flowing, and behind the scenes, the kitchen runs full throttle, thanks to team members like Matt Nachie, Heart of House Red Shirt. Whether he’s leading the line or sharing post-shift laughs, Matt brings the camaraderie that makes City Works more than just a restaurant.
Meet Matt Nachie:
Where are you from?
Phoenix, AZ
What do you enjoy about your job?
There is always something different every day, it’s challenging and fulfilling when you have a successful service during a busy shift.
What do you do when you are not at work?
I enjoy watching movies or listening to music that I used to when I was a kid. I like nostalgia when it brings back good memories. I also like staying active by going to the gym or playing pickleball. A few of us from work play Call of Duty or Fortnite together so that’s what I look forward to most nights.
What do you enjoy about working with the team/company?
I like how we have a diverse team from different backgrounds. I like learning about my coworkers’ cultures and learning Spanish from them. One of my good friends is a line cook who doesn’t speak English. We don’t understand most of the stuff we say to each other, but I’ll use my Google Translator app or have another one of our coworkers to translate for us.
What is something that people probably don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I am Native American. I am from the southwestern tribes Hopi, Mojave and Apache. It’s funny because when I moved to Illinois most people would assume I was Latino and would automatically start speaking to me in Spanish. In Arizona, pretty much everyone knew I was Native American because there is a bigger population of Native Americans out there. I learned how to explain that I’m Native American and that I only understand a little in Spanish to avoid confusion.
Favorite TV/Movie Quote?
“60 percent of the time, it works every time.” -Brian Fantana, Anchorman
Biggest party foul?
Being loud and obnoxious.
If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My mom grew up in the lower class, but her parents tried their best, given with what they had. They struggled to provide but one of the meals that she had when they had money was a simple ground beef, potatoes and gravy with tortillas meal. She would make it every now and then because I’m sure it was nostalgic for her but it reminds me of her so I would eat that for the rest of my life if I had to.
Share a moment of personal triumph.
I think it would have to be after a busy shift when ticket times were good, no mistakes were made, everyone is stressed but we are starting to calm down. We usually lighten the mood by joking with each other and in that moment when we are laughing and cleaning for close, that’s the best feeling I experience at work.
What’s your favorite item on our menu?
I really like the Cajun Linguini. I usually add more Cajun spice to it when I make it.
What has been your most memorable experience at Bottleneck Management so far?
I think it would have to be a collective of memorable experiences. For me, it’s when I see that look in my coworkers’ eyes when they know they can depend on me and trust that if they ask me for help they know that I’ll do whatever I can to help them out.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
All Star by Smashmouth is my ice breaker to calm my nerves and get the people into it. It almost always works.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
It would be the power of healing. I would want to be able to self-regenerate and heal others.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t take it personal.” Especially in this industry, it’s important to be mindful of this. Sometimes tension runs high and we act a certain way but we always make sure to communicate how we actually feel. There is a certain level of resilience you need to have in order to overcome the challenges you face in the day-to-day operation. I constantly affirm this advice to myself.
What’s your favorite thing about your city?
I love Chicago and Illinois in general. I’ve traveled to the East Coast and lived in the West Coast most of my life. This is the best city/state I’ve been to. It’s the cleanest big city and is a hidden gem in the middle of America.
Matt is just one of the many hardworking team members who make City Works in Schaumburg a great place to eat, drink, and connect. Next time you’re in, be sure to say hello.
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