Mackenzie Rubish, the winner of The Great American Baking Show, is preparing to expand Umu Bakehouse into a shared licensed commercial kitchen in Vista at 2349 La Mirada Dr.
Rubish, a first-generation Samoan born and raised in Oceanside, competed on Roku’s Season 2 of The Great American Baking Show and won. Now, the accomplished baker is preparing to expand her business, Umu Bakehouse, to be a part of Vista’s Sae Kitchen. Rubish tells What Now San Diego that she is currently going through the permitting process and hopes to open at the shared commercial kitchen in mid-December. She says this is part of her plan to open a brick-and-mortar eventually.
While this is an interim step before eventually opening her own brick-and-mortar for Umu Bakehouse, Rubish has many plans for Sae Kitchen. She tells What Now San Diego that she plans to use the space to build a brand and clientele and a site for shipping, selling wholesale, and teaching classes or workshops. The kitchen at Sae Kitchen offers two workshop spaces that can be used for teaching. Once she establishes herself in the commercial kitchen space, she will go on to find a home for Umu Bakehouse.
“UMU has always been a part of my identity, literally woven into my name, “Faumuina,” according to the company’s Instagram. “Family has always been central to who I am. To me, family extends beyond blood; it’s about creating connections and making people feel valued! I believe that the essence of family should be felt by everyone, and I am passionate about sharing that with everyone I encounter. My goal is to make everyone feel like they truly belong, and I do this through food! If you know me or my family, you can attest to this. I warmly welcome you to UMU Bakehouse and into our family.”
