HEAD CHEF MARCELO NARVAEZ

Marcelo Narvaez is our beloved Head Chef at San Telmo. We love his creativity and his enthusiastic approach to cooking.

After arriving in Australia in 2014, Marcelo started working at San Telmo as a kitchen hand and has worked all the way to now lead the kitchen brigade. We are so honoured and proud to have him as our Head Chef. Marcelo is living proof that if you are a kitchen hand right now, in a few years you could be leading the kitchen cooking the best steak in Melbourne and anything truly is possible. 

Marcelo fell in love with cooking whilst growing up in Cartagena, Colombia. He attributes his passion for cooking to his mother, who would always look after her friends with food. Marcelo carries this South American spirit with him, and strives to replicate this love through food at home and at work alike.

Marcelo’s number one cooking tip is to ensure you have a good olive oil, and the right amount of salt and pepper. Simple, but effective when used well!

The learning of new cultures, people and different types of cuisine inspires Marcelo. He believes that living and working in Melbourne's hospitality scene opens a door to the world, like travelling without leaving the workplace. 

Marcelo loves how there is always something to learn in hospitality. Working with farmers and meat suppliers has allowed him to gain extensive knowledge about meat and livestock and build great relationships. 

However, his talents aren’t limited to cooking! Marcelo is also a qualified commercial pilot on top of running the kitchen. He loves going for a fly over Melbourne and its surroundings whenever he can. He also enjoys spearfishing, sourcing his own seafood from time to time. 

The need to treat others with respect drives Marcelo’s career as a chef. He explains that the kitchen is a very high-pressure, stressful environment, but leads his team to always support each other in a positive way.

Marcelo believes that if you like doing something, try your best at it, or don’t even do it at all; if you don’t know enough about it, study it, practice it, and try it until you master it, then teach others. We certainly see this attitude reflected in his passion and dedication.