Casual Commis Chef

San Telmo; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous tips

Monthly incentives

40% staff discounts across venues

Delicious staff meals

Job summary

Asado, part of The San Telmo Group in Melbourne's Southbank, is seeking a Casual Commis Chef to join our open parrilla kitchen. You’ll work roughly 20–25 hours per week with potential extra shifts during peak season.

Ideal for a junior chef with some commercial kitchen experience who wants to learn Argentinian parrilla cooking, steak preparation and heat management under an experienced kitchen leadership team.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Willingness to learn new cooking techniques.
• Availability for approximately 20–25 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the preparation, seasoning and cooking of premium cuts of meat.
• Supporting the grill team during busy services, and learning heat management and timing.
• Maintaining high standards of food preparation, cleanliness and food safety.

Skills

Commercial kitchen experience

Willingness to learn

Team player

Job description

Located on Melbourne’s Southbank, Asado is a vibrant Argentinian restaurant inspired by the traditions of cooking over fire. Centred around our open parrilla grill, the menu celebrates premium Australian produce, bold South American flavours and the theatre of flame, all delivered in a lively, fast-paced dining environment.

Who We Are

By joining Asado, you become part of The San Telmo Group – one of Melbourne’s established independent hospitality groups. Founded in 2011, the Group operates six unique venues across Melbourne and Brisbane: San Telmo, Palermo, Asado, Pastuso, Robata and San Telmo Brisbane.

We believe exceptional hospitality starts with exceptional people. That’s why we invest heavily in training, development and internal promotion, creating genuine opportunities for our team to build long-term careers in hospitality. One of our current Directors started with us as a Kitchen Hand – that is the kind of growth we create!

Position Available

We’re looking for a Casual Commis Chef to join our kitchen team at Asado, working approximately 20–25 hours per week, with opportunities for additional shifts during our peak season.

This role is ideal for a junior chef with some commercial kitchen experience who’s eager to develop their skills, learn how to cook premium steaks and gain hands‑on experience working with our traditional Argentinian parrilla.

You don’t need to be an experienced grill chef – we’re looking for someone with a good foundation in kitchen operations, a willingness to learn and the ambition to grow into a more senior role.

What’s In It For You

Consistent casual hours – approximately 20–25 hours per week, with opportunities for additional shifts during peak season

Generous tips on top of your hourly rate and access to monthly incentives

40% staff discounts across all San Telmo Group venues

Convenient Southbank location, less than a 5‑minute walk from Flinders Street Station

Delicious staff meals on the house, enjoyed side‑by‑side with a wonderful team

Hands‑on training in traditional Argentinian parrilla cooking, including steak preparation, protein handling and heat management

Structured training and ongoing support from an experienced kitchen leadership team

Regular appraisals and development plan reviews, so you’ll always know how you’re tracking and have opportunities to provide feedback

Opportunities to take on greater responsibility and progress into more senior kitchen roles as your skills develop

Be part of an established hospitality group with six unique venues across Melbourne and Brisbane

Your Day‑to‑Day Will Include

Assisting with the preparation, seasoning and cooking of premium cuts of meat while learning traditional Argentinian parrilla techniques

Supporting the grill team during busy services, developing your understanding of heat management, cooking temperatures and kitchen timing

Maintaining high standards of food preparation, presentation, cleanliness, food safety and organisation while supporting the wider kitchen team

What We’re Looking For

Previous experience in a commercial kitchen, ideally in a Commis Chef or similar junior kitchen role. Experience cooking steaks is desirable but not essential

A basic understanding of food preparation, kitchen operations and food safety, with a genuine willingness to learn new cooking techniques

Availability for approximately 20–25 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, with flexibility to work additional shifts during peak season

Who You Are

Passionate about food, quality produce and developing your cooking skills

Eager to learn steak cookery and traditional Argentinian parrilla techniques

Reliable, proactive and a strong team player who is happy to support wherever needed

Looking to build your experience and potentially progress into a more senior kitchen role