Five minutes with Cesar Corripio, Jarochos

Who are you?

My name is Cesar Corripio. I’m the owner of the business Jarochos.

What is your business?

It’s real Mexican food!

What is the key thing someone should know about you?

I’m very environmental – I used to live very close to the ocean and like to look after the environment.

What does your day-to-day look like?

Some days, we start the day at 5 am or 6 am and close at 8 pm. And obviously, it’s early mornings because I’m a father of a 16-month-old daughter.

We try to get there at least one hour before [we open], do a stocktake to make sure we have everything for the day, and also organise ourselves for the next day.

How did you get involved in the hospitality industry?

It’s funny, because my background is veterinary, looking after animals. When I moved to Canberra, I wasn’t able to do a job related to my profession. I ended up working in a hotel, which introduced me to hospitality. I did some training when I was in high school, and most Latin American people are very charming, talkative and friendly! From then, I just learnt the basics and tried to build up the business.

Where does your menu come from?

We only do tacos at the moment. They’re authentic flavours to what we have in Mexico, and my cousin passed me some of the recipes he had. I use the authentic names, as well. The mission of the business is to educate a little bit – if people travel, they might remember the name of the item.

What is your favourite or must-use ingredient when cooking?

The most common ingredients I use now are coriander, thyme, oregano, white onions, chills and garlic. But chilli and corn are probably the most essential ingredients in Mexican cuisine.

What is Canberra’s best-kept food secret?

I have tried some restaurants here and there, and I actually went to one a couple of weeks ago that served Spanish cuisine called Temporada [in Civic].

Are you watching any TV shows or movies right now?

Not really – I feel like I’m always chasing after time. I used to watch a series every week three years back, but now I watch a series every year!

Where do you dine out for special occasions?

I literally just type in ‘fine dining’ on my mobile and pick one. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming to be researching or looking too much.

Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?

I don’t have a lot of knowledge about restaurants and things like that. But I like the variety of food that you can be served [in Canberra].

An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?

A skim mocha. I wasn’t a coffee person until I moved to Canberra, but it is cold here and I need a boost in the morning – I used to be a hot chocolate person.

Follow Jarochos on Facebook or Instagram to see where the food truck will be parked each week. There will also soon be a permanent location in the new Capital Food Market Development in Belconnen.