Kaitlyn Smith

Like many chefs, Kaitlyn Smith recalls always wanting to be in the kitchen, initially inspired by watching Julia Child and Emeril Lagasse in her childhood. Paired with her family’s frequent outings to new restaurants, Smith was always drawn to the culinary space. A Redondo Beach native, Smith began working in restaurants at age 18 and built her culinary career from the ground up—advancing into leadership roles through persistence, honed technical skill, and a deep-rooted commitment to hospitality.

Smith kickstarted her career in 2010 at chef-driven, L.A.-based group Pitfire Artisan Pizza, beginning by spending hours meticulously stretching dough and learning by doing. Over the course of four years with Pitfire, Smith confidently rose into a kitchen management role and helped drive the opening of two Southern California locations. She went on to hold sous chef positions at Scopa Italian Roots in 2016 and 2017 and Rose Café in Venice from 2017 to 2019, where, under Chefs Jason Neroni and Aaron Martinez, she deepened her focus on hyper-seasonal, Spanish- and Italian-influenced cooking, and developed experience in menu creation, sourcing, and large-scale service. Rising through the ranks, Smith then served as Executive Chef at Salt Fish House in Northern California from 2021–2023 and Chef de Cuisine at Wildland in Carlsbad from opening until the end of 2025, continually building strong leadership skills by seeking to bridge the gap between back and front of house teams. She begins 2026 with a new title as Executive Chef of Marisi in La Jolla.

Smith’s approach to cuisine is rooted in seasonality, thoughtful sourcing, and restraint—allowing quality ingredients to shine on their own with minimal manipulation. Throughout her career, Smith’s proudest moments include cooking at Pebble Beach Food & Wine and at the James Beard House in New York City. As Executive Chef, she seeks to create meaningful experiences for her guests, ensuring that their time at the table is memorable. Outside of the kitchen, Smith can be found exploring, from the Southern California trails and the concrete jungle of Mexico City to new restaurants and bars in her neighborhood, honoring her family’s lifelong connection to cuisine.