After a career in marketing spanning 15 years, founder and chef Faisal Mahmud (Fazz) decided to leap into the world of food with his first venture, Pako Taco.
Dumfrieshire, Scotland
The Beginning
1983
Fazz started cooking at age 7, preparing his mother breakfast in bed with his older brother, Asif. Burnt toast and an omelette weren't entirely palatable, but as a Mother’s Day gesture, it was hugely appreciated. Fazz loved to watch and learn as his Mother Seema would prepare food for the family. It wasn’t until he moved to New York that he began to miss his mother’s food and started to appreciate the complexities of Pakistani spices.
Many years later, he took an interest in fusion cooking, often preparing food with a mix of Asian cultures, European and Latin American.
After preparing a Birria beef taco recipe, he discovered the spectrum of flavors in both Mexican and Pakistani dishes are on the same side, and it was within weeks Pako Taco became more than just an idea.
London, England
The First Event
2023
After leaving his role at Mars as EU Marketing Director in December 2022, Fazz wasn’t sure what to do. He thought about taking another role in marketing but after a few months, he realised that food was his true passion.
He went for dinner with a few friends and the owner of his local Pub, The Bluecoats N17, to one of his other ventures, Corrochios a Mexican Cantina in Dalston, and shared the idea about Pako Taco. After hearing Fazz’s vision, Tom suggested to give it a try at his pub.
London
A New Challenge
2023
After successful events at The Bluecoats Pub, Fazz rolled out his brand and signed up Ora Taproom, Tottenham as another location. Pako Taco then participated in the Tacover 2.0 at Signature Brew, Walthamstow, and also agreed to participate in American Football events at Redemption, Tottenham.
In September 2023, Kerb Food markets accepted Pako Taco onto their InKerbator scheme and that same week a chance message to Farr’s pub in Dalston lead to an agreement on taking over their Kitchen as of October 2023.
And now, we’re in the present and you are also part of our story.
Welcome to Pako Taco.
