Chef Alfredo Romero and Jose Sanatnader stand outside Taco Amaiz taqueria holding drinks.

OUR STORY

Alfredo Romero and Jose Santander began working together over a decade ago under renowned chef Simon Gault. Their culinary journey started at The Nourish Group’s top Auckland restaurants—Euro Bar and Jervois Steak House—where they forged a lasting friendship built on flavor, precision, and shared ambition. This partnership eventually led them to establish Taco Amaiz, a taqueria restaurant in Parnell and Elliott Stables in Auckland, where they continue to showcase their passion for exceptional cuisine.

Taco Amaiz food is honest, bold, and straight from the heart. We brought the soul of Mexico to Parnell and Elliott Stables in Auckland, without compromise. No shortcuts, no fusion. Just real flavors, cooked the way we learned growing up. With love, with purpose, and with fire. It’s about the balance of food, family, and fiesta, all in harmony.

We’re not just chefs; we’re two friends who decided to take a different path, choosing family over the grind and cooking over the chaos. Taco Amaiz, our taqueria restaurant, tells our story, served fresh, one plate at a time.

So come hungry. Come as you are. We’ll take care of the rest.

Taco Franchising

Alfredo Romero is a Mexican entrepreneur driven by a deep passion for Mexican cuisine, hospitality design, and food industry innovation. He is the founder of Taco Amaiz, a taqueria celebrating culinary heritage, and Soop, a cutting-edge AI food safety software.

Alfredo Romero trained under the wing of acclaimed Mexican chef Martha Ortiz Chapa, whose vibrant, lyrical approach to Mexican cuisine has earned international recognition. Working alongside Ortiz—renowned for her award-winning restaurants Dulce Patria in Mexico City and Ella Canta in London—Alfredo deepened his mastery of traditional techniques and contemporary. He has worked as Executive Chef for luxury hotels as SkyCity, Ritz Carlton, Banyan Tree and lived in several countries around the world.

His academic background includes a Master’s in Hotel Management, Restaurant Revenue Management, and Menu Engineering from Cornell University NY, USA. He holds a Culinary Arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand, and has pursued further culinary education at The School of Artisan Food(UK), École Lenôtre (France), and Culinary Art School in Mexico.

CHEF JOSE's careER

Originally from Peru, Chef Jose Santander brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in the food and beverage industry across the US, Latin America, and Australasia.

He’s worked with top hospitality groups including The Nourish Group—owned by Bill Foley and Kiwi celebrity chef Simon Gault—earning his stripes in high-pressure kitchens and premium dining environments. Jose holds formal qualifications in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts.

Most recently, while leading the team as a Head Chef at Jervois Steak House in Queenstown, he was honoured with a coveted "One Hat" from the Cuisine Good Food Guide and Awards NZ, a nod to his commitment to quality, consistency, and bold, flavour-driven cooking.

CUISINE - GOOD FOOD AWARDS - chef jose

OUR STORY

Taco Franchising

CHEF JOSE's careER

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