In the Making: Puritan & Company

December 3, 2021

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In the Making

“I had two working parents that were farmers, and that became my way of venturing into the food world. First understanding it from a farming perspective, and then into enjoyment.”

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, we joined Will Gilson in his new restaurant Geppetto for an insightful conversation about honing his craft as a chef and restaurant owner. In chatting with Will, he described dealing with burnout, adapting through the pandemic, listening to his community, and much more. Near the end of the hour, Will demonstrated how to make a simple pasta dish, agnolotti del plin, from scratch.

Will began his career at Herb & Lyceum, his parents’ farm, and studied hospitality at Johnson and Wales University. Many are familiar with Puritan & Company, the down-to-earth yet elegant neighborhood restaurant located in Inman Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Will made his first big mark on a neighborhood and its diners.

Geppetto, his newest restaurant, is part of inclusive dining complex that includes Cafe Beatrice, an all-day coffee shop and cafe, and The Lexington, a casual eatery. Will’s journey to creating this unique space was interrupted due to the pandemic, but despite encountering struggles, he and his team pushed forward to complete the inclusive space in Cambridge.


“In the Making” is a public programs series where we connect with a range of new voices, fields, and perspectives. Learn more and view a full list of events on the series homepage here.