Tessa G.

Hailing from Massachusetts, Tessa went to university for Environmental Studies. She had the opportunity to complete a Food Studies certificate in Italy, where her interest in and love of Italian food began.

Upon graduating college in 2023, Tessa joined the team at Eataly Boston as an Artisan in our Salumi & Formaggi department. There, she gained expertise in our products and became increasingly involved in department operations. Expressing a desire to learn more about wine, Tessa was able to transfer to the Wine Store in 2024 where she has advanced from Sales Associate to Specialist.

With experience across multiple departments, Tessa has a deep understanding of Eataly’s story and an ability to communicate it from different perspectives. Her versatile knowledge allows her to offer insightful recommendations, not only selecting the perfect wine for guests but also recommending cheese pairings.

Known for her positive attitude, Tessa consistently takes on new challenges with enthusiasm. She proactively identifies tasks and often starts projects on her own. Hardworking and kind, Tessa is dedicated to her role and the success of the entire team.

What has your journey at Eataly been like?
“It’s been wonderful. I started at the cheese counter where I got to learn so much about our Salumi & Formaggi product offering and then also about orders and behind-the-scenes departmental work. While in SaFo, I really enjoyed collaborating with our cooking school, Scuola, where I was introduced to our wine offering. I started to become very curious about wine and how we could do better pairings with cheese. I was then able to transfer to the Wine Department and have grown here since then.”

How did your interest in food begin?
“One of my early work experiences was at an organic produce farm. I started in sales at their farm stand and then moved to their harvesting crew, where I got to do tractor work, harvesting, and planting. It was really fun. I brought home many of the products we couldn’t sell, which encouraged me to try new recipes.

My interest in food also grew during university where I was motivated to learn more about sustainable agriculture. I ended up earning a certificate in Food Studies in Perugia, Italy. During the program, I realized that I wanted to specialize in food. When I saw the Cheesemonger position available at Eataly Boston, I knew it would be a great way to keep learning and exploring the world of Italian food.”

What is your favorite part of your job?
“I like getting to work one-on-one with our customers. I help them learn more about Italian wine and identify pairings for them, whether it’s for celebrations or just to expand their own palates. I also enjoy partnering with Scuola on wine demonstrations, which give me the chance to connect with guests outside of a sales role. It’s great to see them taste wine, really enjoy it, and then get to speak with them more about it.”

What have you learned during your time at Eataly so far?
“My technical and product knowledge have grown greatly. It’s been cool to research different wines and their producers. I’ve also improved my public speaking skills and have become a better communicator, which has helped me gain more confidence in my daily life.”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I wanted to be an artist, to go into animation. I loved drawing Disney princesses when I was younger, and I still do artistic projects in my free time.”

Who inspires you?
“My family, especially my sister who is a go-getter and never hesitates to jump on new experiences. She is different than I am, and she motivates and inspires me.”