Boston's Top Chefs Unite to Benefit a Mom in Need at the BCAE

Nobody’s had a rougher winter than Jodie Gilson.

I can pretty much promise that whatever storms you’ve weathered these last few months, you probably fared better than she has. Almost one month ago to the day, the Groton-based wholesale grower of herbs and perennials lost her livelihood under the weight of crushing snow… literally.

Insurance wouldn’t cover the damage to Gilson’s greenhouses caused by the relentless wintry pummel, leaving her at loose ends right when she’d normally be preparing for Mother’s Day which, for those not familiar with the rhythms of the horticulture industry, is her cash cow season. Have a look here at some devastating before and after shots.

In a truly inspired moment that Hallmark could use for a kickass commercial, Gilson’s son Will—who happens to be a successful Chef, restaurateur and co-founder of Eat—called upon the Boston foodie community to help out his Mom. BOOM, within hours of sending out a mass email, Mother’s Day in March was born. The event will come to fruition this Saturday evening at the , 7:00 p.m.

"The response was overwhelming," said Chef Gilson, who owns Garden at the Cellar on Massachusetts Avenue between Central and Harvard squares. "So many great folks offering whatever I needed towards an effort that hadn't even been conceived yet… It's truly humbling to be a part of this generous community."

Once Gilson knew there was so much support for his mother’s cause, he went about the difficult task of creating an evening that’d prove enticing enough for folks to pay benefit prices.

This astonishing list of kitchen ‘heavy hitters’ isn't even complete, but it's plenty telling: Louis DiBiccari (Sel de la Terre), Jamie Bissonnette (Toro/Coppa), Dante de Magistris (Dante/Il Casale), Matt Jennings (Farmstead/La Laiterie), Colin Lynch (Menton), Suzi Maitland (Trina’s Starlight Lounge), Ed Doyle (Real Food Consulting), Jay Silva (Bambara), Andy Husbands (Tremont 647), Mary Dumond (Harvest) and, of course, Gilson himself. Dessert will be championed by Joanne Chang (Flour/Myers + Chang).

In keeping with the theme, the Chefs will create a family style meal that will collectively reflect their mothers’ favorite dishes.

Brehon Garcia-Dale, Food and Wine Program Manager at BCAE, was quick to offer assistance as well.

 “As soon as we learned about the benefit we knew it was something we wanted to become involved with and immediately offered our space,” she said. “Our facility here is large enough to make an impact; we have state-of-the-art kitchens for the chefs to use… it just made sense. And more importantly, it’s what we do here. The Boston restaurant community is part of the DNA that makes up our program, and if we can help, we’re going to.”

Gilson explained that the BCAE’s kitchens are unusually conducive to the ‘pop-up restaurant’ treatment (pretty much exactly what it sounds like) which is something he’s been perfecting through Eat, which is often described as “a company dedicated to feeding people in unique ways.” A good example? How about the impromptu restaurant-in-a-chocolate-factory Gilson and Co. staged for Valentine’s Day.

Eat has also engineered a number of high profile food sampling fundraisers for local hunger relief organizations, pulling in a whopping $43,000 last year. And apparently, there’s a food truck on Eat's horizon.

It's safe to say the Gilson has a natural inclination to help people when he's able, even when they’re not his mom. As a result, karma has done both Gilsons a good turn… Earl Hickey would be mighty proud. And if the fundraiser goes well, Mother Nature can cross Jodie Gilson off of her long list.