Empowerment and Flavor at Osteria Mattone: A Spirit Night to Remember

On October 27, our community gathered at Osteria Mattone in Downtown Roswell for more than just an evening of delicious food—it was a night filled with purpose, pride, and possibility.

As part of our Spirit Night, Osteria Mattone generously donated a percentage of their proceeds to GiGi’s Playhouse, helping us raise over $1,000 to support our free programs and continued mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome. But their generosity didn’t stop there.

The week before the event, our adult paticipants were invited to a training lunch at Osteria Mattone. They enjoyed a free meal, received a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant, and had the chance to meet the owners and staff who would be working alongside them on Spirit Night. This incredible experience not only helped prepare them for the evening’s activities but also made them feel welcomed and valued as part of the team.

In our GiGi Prep program leading up to the event, our adults also participated in role-playing activities at GiGi’s Playhouse to help them practice greeting guests, taking orders, and communicating in a busy environment. We even incorporated money management lessons, since participants were paid for their time at the event—adding a real-world element that made the experience even more meaningful.

When the big night arrived, our participants proudly shadowed the restaurant’s staff, greeting guests, assisting with table service, helping in the kitchen, and soaking in the energy of a bustling dining room. It was hands-on work experience filled with learning, teamwork, and smiles all around.

For many families, the evening was especially meaningful. Ruby, one of our GiGi’s participants, attended the event with her mom, Nicole, who shared their special night on Facebook:

“My girl and I just had the most amazing girls date night as @osteriamattone partnered with @gigisatlanta tonight. I could not be more proud of Ruby. She dressed up, used her manners with every interaction, kept conversation with me for the entire 90 minutes we were sitting at the table, and was polite and grown up when interacting with adults. It was so amazing to see her maturity blossom tonight, especially as we talked about her, potentially working at a restaurant one day. She even practiced her server memory skills with me.
Young adults from our GiGi’s community shadowed all of the restaurant positions for dinner service, and they CRUSHED it. Ruby and I adored our server, Kendall. She offered suggestions, answered our questions and took great care of us. We will definitely be back, @osteriamattone – thank you for partnering with @gigisatlanta !!”

Ruby’s story is just one of many from the evening that highlighted confidence, growth, and the power of opportunity. Seeing our participants step into new roles and shine was a proud moment for everyone involved.

The impact of the night reached far beyond the walls of the restaurant. One guest captured it beautifully in a recent Google review: “I’ve eaten here once before and the second visit was last night, 10/27. The food was as great as I remembered, but I have to say the flavors seemed so much richer because of the kindness I saw all around me. What you guys did to empower that group of young people—giving them the opportunity to participate and experience the satisfaction of a day’s hard work—was really sweet. Everyone has a gift. Thank you for allowing us to witness some wonderful people open theirs. Service was excellent!”

Moments like these remind us that awareness grows through connection—and that kindness and inclusion make everything richer, even a meal.

A heartfelt thank you to Osteria Mattone for their partnership, generosity, and belief in our mission. Together, we’re proving that every person has a gift to share—and every community is stronger when those gifts are celebrated.

If your business or organization would like to host a Spirit Night and empower our participants while supporting GiGi’s Playhouse, please reach out to us! We’d love to partner with you to create a meaningful, fun, and impactful event.