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.
we invited Wildland’s Chef Kaitlyn Smith and Skål’s Helene Henderson of Malibu Farms along with our Pastry Chef Sofia Garcia to craft their perfect CUCINA pizza for a weeklong pizza initiative and give back to our partners Center for Community Solutions and WISE Place.

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 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 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

Chef Sofia Garcia’s passion for pastry began in childhood, inspired by playful memories of helping her godfather, a talented home baker, decorate cakes for friends, family, and neighbors. She assisted with simple yet formative tasks—whipping Chantilly cream, cutting fruit, and mixing cake batter—nurturing her love for the craft. At age 20, she formally pursued her calling, starting with an apprenticeship at the National City Adult School’s Baking and Pastry program and earning her culinary arts degree from the Culinary Art School in Tijuana in 2018. Sofia honed her skills at San Diego bakeries like La Concha Bakery and Su Pan Bakery before joining Rancho Bernardo Inn in 2017. There, she rose from culinary intern to Head Baker, mastering high-end pastry production. In 2020, she became Executive Chef at Con Pane, one of San Diego’s most iconic bakeries, where she specialized in artisan breads, rustic pastries, and laminated doughs. In 2024, Sofia joined Urban Kitchen Group as Executive Pastry Chef, overseeing pastry programs for the group’s restaurants, commissary, and catering division. Known for her innovation and mentorship, Sofia draws on her rich culinary background to elevate UKG’s dessert offerings with creativity and heart.

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THE WINE + BEVERAGE PRODUCERS

PINOT NOIR BLEND NV Agricola Brandini ‘Alta Langa’ Piemonte, IT btl 60 / glass 20 Born and raised in Piemonte, Giovanna Bagnasco pours her heart and soul into her wines. Just like her, the bubbles in this glass will bring a smile to your face. CHARDONNAY 2021 Raen ‘Lady Marjorie’ Sonoma Coast, CA btl 100 / glass 30 Melanie McIntyre truly loves to evoke a sense of place in her wines. This one specifically is an homage to the grandmother of the founding Mondavi sons and couldn’t be more sunshine as it’s poured. CABERNET BLEND 2020 Dalla Valle ‘Collina’ Napa Valley, CA btl 150 / glass 50 Life coming full cycle in this case. Maya’s father Gustav along with his wife Naoko founded this incredible property almost 40 years ago. Maya just recently took over as the winemaker and is leading this benchmark winery into the future. Classic and timeless, just close your eyes and let the grace and elegance of this wine wash over your senses. arneis 2021 agricola brandini ‘le margherite’ piemonte, it 6 oz. | 12. bottle | 40. agricola brandini, run by sisters giovanna and serena bagnasco, has been crafting certified organic wines in piemonte, northern italy, since 2011. this arneis exemplifies their signature balance and finesse, boasting vibrant citrus notes, aromatic herbaceousness, bright acidity, and a distinctive salty minerality. pinot noir 2020 merry edwards ‘sonoma coast’ sonoma, ca 6 oz. | 17. bottle | 60. heidi von der mehden has led winemaking at merry edwards since 2020, preserving the winery’s legacy of crafting intensely aromatic, richly flavored wines. through extended cold soaks, she enhances color extraction, creating wines with firm tannins, deep complexity, and a silky-smooth palate. this sonoma coast pinot noir exemplifies the elegance and character of coastal sonoma wines. cabernet sauvignon 2019 freemark abbey ‘rutherford’ napa valley, ca 6 oz. | 28. bottle | 105. kristy melton is the eighth winemaker in freemark abbey’s 130-year history, continuing the legacy of one of napa valley’s oldest and most respected wineries. known for producing exceptional cabernet sauvignons that rival the region’s finest, freemark abbey sources its rutherford cabernet from the renowned bosché and sycamore vineyards. this wine showcases rich notes of dark plum and blackberry, layered with hints of mocha, making it a standout for cabernet lovers.