Cook

La Popular Taqueria is a thriving, community-focused Mexican restaurant dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional Mexican culinary heritage. We take pride in crafting every dish from scratch, using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques like nixtamal and handmade masa, to deliver an authentic and memorable dining experience. We are currently looking for a passionate Cook to join our team and help us continue this mission.

The successful applicant must be committed to long-term employment and available for weekends and day/evening shifts. Working alongside the Head Chef, the Cook will assist with planning and be responsible for:

1. Receive, inspect, and organise food deliveries, ensuring the highest quality of fresh produce, meats, dried chilies, spices, and traditional Mexican ingredients like maize grains, while maintaining proper stock rotation and food safety standards
2. Preparing ingredients for service (cutting, marinating, portioning) to ensure smooth, consistent service
3. Operate kitchen equipment safely, controlling cooking times and temperatures to ensure consistent food quality and adherence to kitchen standards
4. Cook menu items to recipe, including grilled, slow-cooked and sauce-based dishes
5. Balance and adjust flavour using house-made salsas, marinades and seasoning, ensuring consistency across all dishes served
6. Assist in preparing fresh dough and handmade tortillas from nixtamalized maize, including pressing and cooking, ensuring consistent quality and faithful adherence to traditional Mexican methods
7. Plate dishes to standard, ensuring consistency in presentation and portioning
8. Maintain food storage, labelling and hygiene in line with food safety standards
9. Keep kitchen areas clean and compliant with WHS regulations
10. Support stock control, minimise waste and assist with ordering
11. Adapt dishes for dietary needs without compromising quality
12. Work efficiently during service and support team coordination
13. Guide staff with correct prep, safety and kitchen procedures

The Cook must be a team player and have:

1. Certificate III (or equivalent)
2. Minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience as a Cook in a similar restaurant setting
3. Strong knowledge of traditional Mexican cuisine (nixtamal, fresh masa, from-scratch cooking)
4. Fast, organised, and calm under pressure
5. Team player with a great attitude
6. Flexible availability (weekends & public holidays)
7. Reliable, punctual, and keen to learn
8. Passion for food and hospitality

What we offer:

1. Competitive salary of $79,000 plus superannuation.
2. 38-hour work week to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
3. To be part of a dedicated team shaping an exceptional, from-scratch Mexican dining experience.

If this sounds like you, please send us your resume to *****************************