Senior Chef — Pacho Taqueria

Full-time | $70,000–$80,000 + super
Predominantly daytime | Prahran Market, South Yarra

Small kitchen. Serious food. Real responsibility.

Pacho is an independent Mexican taqueria inside Prahran Market. We make our food from scratch, slow-cooked birria, fresh tortillas, salsas and traditional Mexican dishes, prepared with care and served in a fast-moving market kitchen.

We're looking for an experienced, hands-on chef ready to take responsibility for our daily kitchen operation.

This is a role for someone who can lead by example, organise preparation, run a busy service and maintain quality without constant supervision.

You don't need to have been a Head Chef. You do need strong kitchen fundamentals and the confidence to take ownership.

What you'll be responsible for

- Leading daily preparation, station allocation and kitchen service.
- Maintaining consistent food quality, portions and presentation.
- Managing prep levels, stock rotation, ordering and waste.
- Training and supporting a small kitchen team.
- Keeping the kitchen clean, organised and ready for the next shift.
- Identifying problems early and improving how the kitchen operates.

Who we're looking for

You'll have solid experience in a busy professional kitchen, ideally as a Chef de Partie, Senior Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Supervisor.

More importantly, you:

- Can confidently manage a section or lead a small team during busy service.
- Know how to plan preparation, not just follow a prep list.
- Work cleanly, efficiently and consistently under pressure.
- Take responsibility for your standards and follow through.




- Communicate clearly and treat colleagues with respect.

Mexican cooking experience is welcome, but not essential. Robust cooking fundamentals, a willingness to learn and sound judgement matter more.

What makes Pacho different

- Predominantly daytime hours: no routine late-night restaurant service.
- A small independent operation: your work and decisions have a direct impact.
- Established recipes and operating systems: clear expectations, practical training and defined standards.
- Real kitchen ownership: responsibility for preparation, service quality and team execution.
- Food worth caring about: traditional Mexican cooking, quality ingredients and ongoing menu development.

You'll work closely with the owner to maintain standards and help build one of Melbourne's best Mexican street food experiences.

Position details

Employment: Full-time
Salary: $70,000–$80,000 + superannuation, depending on experience
Location: Pacho Taqueria, Prahran Market, South Yarra
Roster: Primarily Tuesday and Thursday–Sunday, daytime shifts. Weekend availability is essential. Occasional special events may require different hours.

Interested?

Apply with your CV and briefly tell us:

- Your most recent kitchen role and venue.
- What section or kitchen responsibilities you owned.
- When you would be available to start.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a short conversation and practical assessment.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in doing things properly, every day.

Pacho Taqueria - Prahran Market.

Pay: $70,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring program
- Free food

Work Location: In person

📌 Senior Chef - Pacho Taqueria (South Yarra)
🏢 Pacho Taqueria
📍 South Yarra