About Helena Avenue Bakery

Helena Avenue Bakery is a homestyle artisan bakery and kitchen offering rustic, organic breads, handmade seasonal pastries, scratch made breakfast fare, gourmet sandwiches on freshly baked bread and seasonal salads. The take-out menu is ideal for dining in or taking away to enjoy at home, nearby wine tasting rooms, the beach or picnics around town. Helena Avenue Bakery shares a space with the Santa Barbara Wine Collective so you can grab a bottle of your favorite local wine for a perfect picnic.

Jason Paluska, Executive Chef

Executive Chef Jason Paluska oversees three dynamic kitchens that serve five distinctive and award-winning concepts within Acme Hospitality – The Lark, Lucky Penny, Helena Avenue Bakery, Pearl Social and Santa Barbara Collective. Originally from Tomball, Texas, Jason began his cooking career in 2006 under chefs Mitch and Steve Rosenthal of Town Hall, Salt House, and Anchor & Hope in San Francisco. Jason then worked as a sous chef under renowned chef Jason Berthold at Michael Mina’s RN74. In 2013, he was the opening executive chef of The Lark in Santa Barbara, where he and his team were honored with a Michelin Plate Award in 2019 among numerous other prestigious recognitions. Jason’s tenure with Acme Hospitality spans more than a decade, contributing to the company’s success and elevating the culinary experiences across its diverse portfolio. Jason’s journey in the hospitality industry showcases his unwavering passion, exceptional talent, and dedication to the culinary arts.

Emilie Sandven, General Manager

Emilie Sandven is a highly skilled and passionate pastry chef with a strong foundation in classical techniques. With over 8 years of experience in the industry, Emilie has held a variety of roles in some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange County. In her most recent position as Executive Sous Chef at Colossus Bread & Pastry, Emilie successfully oversaw and coordinated the production of bread, viennoiserie, pastries, and ready-to-eat items for the bakery, farmers market outlets, and wholesale accounts. Emilie is known for her ability to create nostalgically flavored foods that combine flawless craftsmanship with local, seasonal ingredients. In addition to her culinary skills, Emilie has excellent customer service skills and is highly adaptable and organized in fast-paced, upscale settings. She holds an Associate of Arts degree and a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Orange Coast College.

Accolades & Awards

High praise from The Hollywood Reporter, Zagat.com, and the SoCal Restaurant Show.

For more information, visit helenaavenuebakery.com

131 Anacapa St., Ste. C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 | 805-880-3383
Daily 7am to 2:30pm

Follow Helena Avenue Bakery | @helenaavenuebakery