We’re thrilled to share that Chitarra Pastaria was featured on Chronicle!
Based in Cambridge, MA, Chitarra is an artisanal pasta company powered by an incredible team of neurodiverse makers. We craft small-batch, bronze-cut pasta and collaborate with world-class chefs – proving that purpose and flavor can share the same plate.
Check us out at https://chitarrapastaria.com/
About 40 miles east in Cambridge, that same spirit of independence takes on a new shape, or better yet, a new strand. We wanted to build a place where young adults on the autism spectrum could come and work and have fun and make really killer product. Qatara Pastasteria is a small artisal pasta startup where employees with autism are part of every step. We are intentionally a company. I think there are a lot of really good nonprofits doing amazing things. We are a company because we want our team to show up every day and feel like they’re coming to work for a company. Something that’s been um really empowering is is understanding that I’m help to shape the direction that we take things here. Everything begins simply with just two ingredients, flour and water. I’m going to give it a couple of more minutes. From there, the dough gets mixed and cut into shapes. our specialty pasta here. It’s meant to mimic the strings of a guitar, which is actually our namesake. Kitata means guitar in Italian. Every step in this business is hands-on down to the labels, all of which are handwritten. So like 460 gram goes into one bag. And the pasta bag today by Julia. This product for now is sold online with employees including Miles Mazado packaging each box with care. Made with love and tism. Qatara also partners with local chefs to create limited run pasta boxes. Generally, we want all of our boxes to be exciting when you order them. Uh but this one we wanted to be extra special because it’s got um even more of a story behind it. Their first a collaboration with Boston restaurant tour Ken Oringer who is one of the company’s founders. Jeremy, an autistic employee, worked alongside him in developing a rietoni Alfredo with miso recipe, making the partnership not only delicious, but deeply inclusive. We’ve had a tremendous outreach from chefs, food influencers, all sorts of people interested in food. It’s really been cool to see how people are embracing our team. Each employee bringing their own set of skills. Some people prefer more routine. That’s how I think we’re getting our pasta. That’s really great nowadays with Ezra. You’re very, very consistent. You do a really good job at it. Right. Obviously, we need to create that space for her to be able to do that. Ezra, a pasta perfectionist. It shows us repeatedly that, hey, you can do this. Look at all the work you’ve done. We are far, far more than our disabilities. Here, pasta is more than just food on a plate. Cheers, buddy. Always love cooking with you. It’s proof of what’s possible when talent, opportunity, and inclusion all come together. And you saw Ken Oringer there, the headquarters for the pasta company is actually in one of his restaurants and employees get together every morning and make all the pasta shapes for the restaurant. That’s awesome. And back to the Rise program. They cater to people with all types of disabilities, not just autism. And the Maple and Maine store is open Tuesday through Saturday. So if you want to check it out, check out our website for the
Dining and Cooking