Mother's Day Pop-Up Restaurant Fundraiser


By: Katherine Brooks

A few weeks ago, chef Will Gilson of Garden at The Cellar sent an email that read:

“…my mother, Jodie Gilson, lost all of her greenhouses under the weight of the snow that has fallen over the past month or so. Many of us have been harshly affected by the recent storms, however my complaints… are entirely petty compared to the pain, loss and devastation that my mom is dealing with… Those greenhouses were her only source of income and the heart of her business.”

Gilson’s inbox was immediately flooded with support. Fellow chefs, members of the community, and loyal customers of his Cambridge restaurant reached out with donations and encouragement. His latest post on his blog reads:

“I can’t begin to tell you all how amazing it has been over the past week for my mother and I. The incredible and overwhelming support from this city and the Boston restaurant industry has brought me to tears on more than a few occasions.”

So how can you help out? Score a meal from twelve of the city’s best chefs at Chef Gilson’s Mother’s Day pop-up restaurant at the Boston Center for Adult Education! Culinary masterminds Aaron Cohen of Eat Boston, Louis DiBiccari of Sel de la Terre, and Will Gilson are throwing a mother-themed event on Saturday, March 5th. Participating chefs include:

Jamie Bissonnette (Toro/Coppa)
Dante de Magistris (Dante/Il Casale)
Matt Jennings (Farmstead/La Laiterie)
Colin Lynch (Menton)
Suzi Maitland (Trina’s Star Lounge)
Ed Doyle (Real Food Consulting)
Jay Silva (Bambara)
Andy Husbands (Tremont 647)
Mary Dumond (Harvest)
Joanne Chang (Flour/Myers + Chang)
Brian Poe (The Rattlesnake)
Steven “Nookie” Postal (Fenway Park)

All proceeds go directly to Jodie Gilson, owner of J. Gilson Greenhouses, to help rebuild her business that was destroyed in this winter’s snowstorms. The event begins at 6:30pm for VIP ticket holders (with cocktails by Eastern Standard’s Jackson Cannon and the ladies of LUPEC) and 7:00pm for general admission. Tickets available here. Can’t make the event but eager to contribute? Donate to the worthy cause directly through the blog.