women are unstoppable.

urban kitchen group is proud to be a woman-owned and operated company.
we strive to provide opportunities for women to thrive and are thankful for the inspiring women
who make up our #CUCINAfamily.
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day we invited Helene Henderson of Skal and Malibu Farms and Chef Kaitlyn Smith of Wildland to design a pizza inspired by their kitchens.

PIZZA FOR A CAUSE
A portion of the weeklong pizza proceeds will benefit Center for Community Solutions in San Diego and WISEPlace in Orange County.

RESERVE

giving back // the organization

Center for Community Solutions

SAN DIEGO PARTNER Center for Community Solutions (CCS) is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending relationship and sexual violence. Since 1969, CCS has been providing trauma-informed, wrap-around services to empower survivors as they heal and recover from trauma. CCS’ free services include a 24/7 confidential crisis hotline, four domestic violence shelters, counseling, legal services, safety planning, prevention education and more.

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WISE PLACE

ORANGE COUNTY PARTNER WISEPlace is the only Orange County-based nonprofit leading the effort to end homelessness for unaccompanied women. We provide women with safe shelter, counseling and mental health services, case management and addiction recovery, and employment assistance to help rebuild their lives. At WISEPlace, the women we serve often lack the support system of a spouse, significant other, or children. Nearly half are disabled, over eighty percent have experienced domestic violence and nearly all have incomes well below the poverty line. These and other factors put the women we serve at a greater risk of becoming homeless.

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THE CHEFS

helene henderson | skål / malibu farms

THE PIZZA: [mother root pizza] celery root + bacon + ricotta + parmesan + creme fraiche + mint + capers
THE CHEF: Celebrated chef, restauranteur and bestselling cookbook author Helene Henderson has established herself among the farm-to-table vanguard over the last two decades. Born in northern Sweden, Helene's culinary journey began in her hometown where she learned the art of gardening, foraging, and homesteading. In 1997, she ventured to Los Angeles, establishing Lavender Farms Catering and making a formidable impression on Hollywood’s private chef circuit. Helene's love for simple, fresh ingredients propelled her into the spotlight and soon, Malibu Farm was born in her backyard as a series of cooking classes and small group dinners. By 2012, Malibu Farm evolved into a booming pop-up-turned- permanent-fixture on Malibu Pier. Helene, alongside her husband and business partner John Stockwell, has since expanded Malibu Farm into a global success story with restaurants in seven cities—from SoCal to New York, Hawaii to Japan. Chef Henderson’s commitment to sustainability and organic produce, coupled with a focus on locavore cuisine, has been the catalyst to Malibu Farm’s success and an ethos that carries over to her latest venture, Skål Pizza. Opened in March 2023 within the charming Lido Marina Village, Skål Pizza weaves together Chef Henderson’s Swedish roots and coastal California lifestyle with its lineup of inventive veggie-forward offerings. Her smörgåsbord vision for Skål encourages patrons to savor a little bit of everything, from the vibrant woodfired pizzas and handmade pastas to the roasted veggies, hearty greens, and fika-inspired desserts. Most importantly, though, Henderson stands by her “something for everyone” philosophy, creating culinary destinations where farm-fresh-food feels approachable and health-conscious eating is attainable.

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kaitlyn smith | wildland

THE PIZZZA: [where there’s smoke, there’s fire pizza] bacon + mozzarella + jalapeno + red onion + cilantro + carolina gold bbq
THE CHEF: Kaitlyn Smith brings more than 15 years of experience to her role as chef de cuisine at Wildland, the new all-day restaurant, bar and bakery from Michelin-starred duo, Chef Eric Bost and restaurateur John Resnick. Born and based in Redondo Beach, California before relocating to Carlsbad, Kaitlyn has worked in restaurants since the age of 16. Starting off at the front of house, she dreamed of being a chef before getting her big break in the kitchen of Pitfire Pizza. Kaitlyn mastered the basics and quickly moved up the ranks, eventually opening two new Pitfire locations within Southern California. In 2019, Chef Jason Neroni invited her to be part of his newest concept in Venice, The Rose, as Sous Chef. While there she had the opportunity to cook at both Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the James Beard House. Through her work, Kaitlyn became acquainted with Chef Eric Bost, and in 2019 went to work as an expeditor at his critically-acclaimed restaurant, auburn. After a stint working at Chef David Lefevre’s MB Post in Manhattan Beach, she reconnected with Chef Eric as he scouted for talent to join his latest project, Wildland. A longtime devotee to the art of pizza and pasta-making since her first kitchen experience at Pitfire, she has found her creative niche at Wildland, where she channels her passion for utilizing simple, farm fresh ingredients to make exceptional and nourishing meals from live fire. When not in the kitchen, Kaitlyn loves spending time outdoors, hanging with her dog, Dewey, and making memories with her two nephews.

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sofia garcia | urban kitchen group

THE PIZZA:
pistachio pesto + mozzarella, topped with arugula, lemon zest, olive oil and pecorino
THE CHEF: Chef Sofia Garcia discovered her passion for pastry as a child, helping her godfather—a skilled home baker—decorate cakes for friends, family, and neighbors. After earning her culinary arts degree in Tijuana in 2018, she rose through the ranks in San Diego, progressing from local bakeries to Head Baker at Rancho Bernardo Inn and later Executive Chef at Con Pane, where she mastered artisan breads and pastries. Now Executive Pastry Chef at Urban Kitchen Group, Sofia leads their pastry programs with innovation and mentorship, infusing her rich culinary heritage into every creation.

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FEATURED WOMEN WINEMAKERS

WOMEN IN WINE

proudly highlighting some of our favorite women vintners by the glass + bottle specials giovanna bagnasco, agricola brandini, piemonte, it
melanie mcintyre, raen, sonoma coast, ca
maya dalla valle, dalla valle, napa valley, ca
heidi von der mehden, marry edwards, sonoma coast, ca
kristy melton, freemark abbey, napa valley, ca
antonella and ersiliana bronca, sorelle bronca, franciacorta, it
laura de vito, laura de vito wines, lapio, it
maria cristina oddero, oddeero winery, piemonte, it
illaria felluga, marco felluga wines, friuli, it
helena lageder, alois lageder, alto adige, it
mariangela plantamura, plantamura, puglia, it