Casual Commis Chef

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

Benefits offered by this job

Tips on top of hourly rate

Staff discounts

Delicious staff meals

Hands-on training

Job summary

Asado on Melbourne’s Southbank is seeking a Casual Commis Chef to join our kitchen team, working about 20–25 hours per week with additional shifts during peak season. You don’t need to be an experienced grill chef—just a solid foundation in kitchen operations, a willingness to learn, and the drive to grow into a more senior role while cooking premium meats on our Argentinian parrilla.

We offer tips, staff discounts and delicious meals, with hands-on training and ongoing support from our kitchen

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a commercial kitchen, ideally in a Commis Chef or similar junior kitchen role.
• Experience cooking steaks is desirable but not essential
• Availability for approximately 20–25 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, with flexibility to work additional shifts during peak season

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Basic kitchen experience

Team player

Willingness to learn

Steak cooking interest

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