Tony Curcuru discovers his roots - Lincoln Courier

Editor's note: Today we welcome Laura Elliott who will share stories on the people from the Logan County who gives our readers insight to the different paths we all take on the journey.

Taking a Leap

It takes courage to muster up a leap from the known and seemingly secure into the wilderness of your heart’s desire. You hear the stories—corporate exec leaves the rat race and opens a winery, teacher leaves the classroom to become a chocolatier. Some find a way to balance the two worlds. I was recently given a piece of pottery and on the accompanying business card the artist described herself as, "Attorney at Law, Potter at Heart." I hope she enjoys her day job as well as her craft. Yet for some, the day job grinds against the grain of their soul, and rather than live a compromised life they boldly forge a new path—one that makes their heart sing.　

This was the case for Tony Curcuru, who works at Sorrento’s Pizza—a restaurant business in Lincoln that his grandparents started over 50 years ago and is now run by his parents. He is also the owner of The Tony Cannoli, making handcrafted cannoli—a delectable Italian pastry that he caters and retails at venues such as the farmers markets. Although he practically grew up in the pizza restaurant, he first chose not to follow the family footsteps and instead went into banking. However, after seven years Tony realized that finance was not adding up to a happy life. He wanted to feel a passion for his work and knew he needed to find out what that was. Leaving the world of banking behind, he took off for Italy to explore his roots.　

Exploring the wilderness requires curiosity, trust, and an embracing of the unknown. We leave certainty behind and strike out into the spaciousness of new territory, allowing ourselves to be guided by our inner compass and hopefully delighted by what we discover. Of course, it’s not always delightful as we clear the way, sometimes discovering what we don’t want in order to find out what we do indeed want. We may have no clue what we’re looking for, but trust that we’ll know it when we see it. And we may have an idea of a direction or even a plan of sorts, but essentially, we are making the path as we walk it. Often a meandering or circuitous path. Rarely linear.

For Tony, he had a general sense of direction—to discover more about his heritage and to discern God’s plan for his life. He didn’t know what that would look like or for how long he would be in Italy, but he went with a clarity of purpose. While there, he spent time with his Sicilian relatives and also with strangers, following his curiosity about the ways and means of Italian food. Through an organization called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) where folks can work on a farm in exchange for room and board, Tony made his way around Italy picking the likes of grapes and olives. At one point he camped out in the yard of a dairy farmer to learn about cheese, until eventually the family invited him into their home. New friendships and experiences shaped his path.　

It was while picking olives that Tony decided to make cannoli. He and his fellow workers would have them during breaks and he realized what a nice treat it was. "In Italy, they make cannoli like we make muffins. It’s part of their culture." Originating on the island of Sicily, Italians started making cannoli a thousand years ago. They consist of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta and other ingredients such as chocolate or pistachios. Having realized his mission, Tony then met with relatives and local artisans to learn how to make cannoli, including tips from a pastry shop that’s been around for over 100 years.

After eight months of exploring, Tony came back to Lincoln with the discovered purpose to create a cannoli business and to also join his family’s pizza restaurant. Tony is glad for the leap he took and thinks he probably would not have come to the idea of making cannoli had he not ventured off to Italy. "Often life happens and dreams don’t. I had a lot of energy as a kid and wanted to get back in touch with that, and so followed my heart to Sicily, which gave me a freedom and opened the need to being a risk-taker for doing what I love." He feels grateful for the people that have helped shape his life with wisdom and encouragement. He tries to be grateful for all of his experiences, to find the good in all things, including his banking experience which has served him well in his current business. Tony is especially grateful for the support of his parents who made his dream possible by being able to use the restaurant facility for making cannoli.

Gratitude is often expressed when in conversation with Tony and is part of his advice to anyone pursuing their dream. "It’s important to be grateful along the way. Roll with it. If something is tugging at your heart, follow it. And be ready for the challenges. Be positive. It requires courage and hard work."　

For Tony, being in business is not just about selling his goods, but having a presence, helping others and being part of a community. "Feeling supported by your community makes you want to give back and ask the question, What can I do for others?" Community spirit is in his blood. Tony feels that through his cannoli business, he is sharing something representative of his heritage—a culture of proud and passionate people who love to share and use what they have—fresh and local ingredients—to make good food.　

Simplicity and quality is part of Tony’s philosophy. He continues to refine his craft and recently started making his own cannoli shells which is quite an intricate process. To learn this art, which includes the surprising ingredient of wine, he traveled back to Sicily. One could safely say that in Lincoln we have a sure taste of Italy. You can find these scrumptious treats at the Lincoln farmers market, and occasionally downtown at Sorrento’s and Guest House. Private orders can be made anytime through Tony’s Facebook or Instagram page. In fact, this summer there will be further opportunity when he plans to have a cannoli cart cruising around town. So keep on the lookout. In the chill of February this is a warming thought. And in honor of this day, the 29th, consider a leap, great or small, that will make your heart sing.