Michael A. Norton
Chef Michael Norton doesn't remember when he wasn't in the culinary field. He began
working in restaurants in high school in Colorado and has been a dedicated member
of the profession ever since. He was hired at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
In this environment he was groomed in classical cuisine under the guidance of Edmund
Johnson.
As with many young culinarians, travel helped gain experience. A trip to the Culinary
Olympics in Frankfurt Germany in 1972 created a strong impression and convinced
the young chef that this was his passion. An additional 2 years at The Broadmoor,
followed by 3 years at The Diplomat in Hollywood Florida led Norton to Las Vegas
and the MGM. He started out as a saucier, transferred to Room Chef in Reno, Nevada;
was promoted to Assistant Executive Chef back in Vegas and promoted again to Executive
Chef in Reno.
In Reno, he participated in many food shows where he medaled annually. Chef Norton's
next Executive Chef Position was at The Keystone in Colorado. 10,000 feet in altitude
to sea level at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach Florida for 3 seasons came next.
In 1987 he received his Executive Chef certification and was inducted into the Academy
of Chefs in 1988.
In 1989 Chef Norton relocated to the West Coast to become the Executive Chef at
the Disneyland Hotel. This occurred less than 20 years after a formative meeting
at the 1972 Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt Germany with past ACF National President
and former Executive Chef of the Disneyland Hotel, Jack Sullivan.
Chef Norton has been with the Eldorado Hotel and Casino since 1994. Orchestrating
the culinary program at The Eldorado is the most challenging yet rewarding experience
he has had. The food department is self contained with a full butcher, bakery/pastry,
pasta, garde manger, coffee roasting and microbrewery, and feeds 6000 guests daily,
throughout 8 award winning restaurants with a culinary staff of over 150 back of
the house employees. The Eldorado has always had a reputation for good food; however
since Chef Norton has been in charge it now has a reputation for excellent food
and service. Under his leadership many of the restaurants have won prestigious culinary
awards and have become destination restaurants in the Reno food scene. In addition
to overseeing nine restaurants he has been in charge of many off property events
- many well known celebrities and politicians have enjoyed his food.