Mel Arce, the force behind Gnarly Girl Pizza, has been a part of the pizza industry for over 20 years. Her journey began working overnight shifts at a pizza shop on Miami Beach, but she eventually brought her pizza-making talents back home to San Diego.
Breaking into the male-dominated pizza scene wasn’t easy. One unforgettable moment stands out to her: a former boss put her on dish duty simply because she was a woman. Refusing to accept such treatment, Mel immediately left that job and pushed past the negative stereotypes.
To Mel, making pizza is more than just a craft — it’s a sport. “We’re all working together as a team. It requires technical skill. Some people are better than others. It gives me an adrenaline rush,” she says. Her resilience and passion helped her carve her own path in the San Diego pizza community.