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As you'll soon see, both our manager and head chef have had extensive experience in the hospitality and restaurant fields with an emphasis on Mexican cuisine. So much so that they must be among the most eminently qualified people in this country to operate a Mexican restaurant. Our key people By the age of 15 Katrina was part of the hospitality industry and since then has worked in various food and beverage outlets ranging from fast food restaurants to piano and wine bars. At the same time she was amassing a wealth of information and experience, she developed a strong appreciation for good food, good beverages and good service. Along the way, she also managed to become a fully qualified psychologist. Following her studies Katrina traveled throughout Spain and Asia, eventually finding herself in Sydney where, as luck would have it, she took a job as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant on the Northern Beaches. In no time she was a supervisor and then, at the somewhat tender age of 24, an owner. In time Katrina moved on. Maybe it was destiny, but when she discovered tropical North Queensland, Katrina fell in love. Though she has had a go at other jobs, including clinical psychologist, she has been continually drawn back into the world of hospitality. She says, "I just love people and get immense satisfaction from being part of a dining experience." So it is here that Katrina is realising her dream to bring a total Mexican dining experience to her patrons. Buckin' Mex celebrates not just the food and drink of Mexico but the warm and exciting culture as well. When you walk up the steps to enter Buckin' Mex, you find a comfortable haven where you can sit back, relax and enjoy zesty, tantalising dishes presented by friendly, enthusiastic staff. Just the way it should be. The picture to the right is of Katrina and her partner, Clint Betts, on a fact-finding mission to Mexico and the southwestern United States. (The mask is one of the treasures they found.)
After successfully establishing his own restaurant, Tomas spent the next 10 years delighting his clientele with an exciting and ever-evolving dining experience. At the same time he gained invaluable expertise in the day-to-day operation of a business. Seeking new challenges and opportunities, Tomas came to Australia. He spent four years as Chef de Partie in Perrottas At The Gallery in Cairns before moving to the prestigious Cairns International. Here he continued to expand his knowledge and skills under executive chef Grant Jones. Since September 2006 Tomas has been the executive chef at Buckin' Mex. Using the breadth of professional experience gained in both Europe and Australia, he has been instrumental in designing and producing the cuisine that has become Buckin' Mex today. One thing Tomas has insisted on from the beginning: he uses only the freshest ingredients available. That's why you can find him daily at the local markets sourcing fresh produce. Tomas keeps us on our toes. He is continually refining the menu and bringing exciting new dishes to the Buckin' Mex portfolio. Because he also believes passionately in the importance of the total dining experience, Tomas works closely with the owners to create an experiencia unlike that you'll find in any other Australian restaurant serving Mexican cuisine. Job opportunities |
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Katrina Breen, Owner-manager - Katrina first became fascinated by the Spanish/Hispanic approach to dining when she was growing up in Ireland. It seemed to her that turning mealtimes into extended social gatherings where everyone had a good time made much more sense than treating the dining experience as little more than a way of getting necessary daily sustenance.
Tomas Aksamit, Head Chef - Tomas comes from the Czech Republic where he began nurturing an appreciation for innovative and creative cuisine at a very early age.
Buckin' Membership • Spanish Phrases & Pronunciation • Your Hosts