Mendoza, whose résumé includes high-profile roles at Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, the Puffer-Malarkey Collective, and Urban Kitchen Group, was tapped in 2024 to launch Knead in partnership with the University Club, which operates 34 floors above the cafe. The fast-casual bakery quickly drew praise for its meticulously crafted breads, croissants, seasonal pastries, and gluten-free offerings, many based on recipes Mendoza developed over his two decades in the industry.
In a message to SanDiegoVille, Mendoza said he was let go without severance amid ongoing $2 million renovations at the University Club, which he believes is facing financial strain. "I helped build that bakery - they used me and then wanted more money in their pockets by letting me go and reaping the benefits of the recipes I’ve created and trained staff with," he said. Mendoza also alleged the club has at times struggled to pay vendors and that his executive pastry chef position will be eliminated rather than filled.
"University club is going through 2 million dollar renovations and they are hurting financially I believe," Mendoza commented.
The University Club, meanwhile, is undergoing a substantial interior refresh - part of a multimillion-dollar transformation intended to attract a younger membership amid shifting downtown demographics. The reinvestment is meant to revitalize the historic club with new design elements, expanded social and dining areas, and an updated aesthetic tailored to urban professionals.
The departure marks a surprising turn for a chef whose career trajectory seemed to be reaching a new peak with Knead's opening. The bakery had been positioned as both a public-facing daytime cafe and an extension of the private club’s culinary program, which Mendoza also oversaw. Mendoza remains prominently featured on Knead's Website.
We reached out to the University Club for comment regarding Mendoza's statements and termination. In response, the club said, "The University Club San Diego is going through a reimagination and extensive renovations, which have been long-planned and are in no way correlated with Knead Bakery. As a matter of company policy, we don’t comment on personnel matters."
While the University Club maintains its renovations are part of a long-term plan and won't address any financial issues, Mendoza insists the club has struggled to meet obligations and is using his departure as a cost-cutting measure. The conflicting accounts leave questions about the stability of one of downtown’s most prominent private clubs.
While Mendoza says the experience has been disheartening, he is looking ahead to a new chapter outside the kitchen. The 39-year-old chef is transitioning into massage therapy, a career shift that will take him far from the early mornings and high heat of professional baking.
"I still love food and love working in kitchens," concluded Mendoza. "And maybe one day I’ll get back in it."
Knead Bakery Cafe remains open at 750 B Street, Suite 150, on the Symphony Towers ground floor in Downtown San Diego. For more information, visit kneadbakerysd.com.
Originally published on August 15, 2025.
Knead Bakery Cafe remains open at 750 B Street, Suite 150, on the Symphony Towers ground floor in Downtown San Diego. For more information, visit kneadbakerysd.com.
Originally published on August 15, 2025.
