Testimonial – Kitchen
I’m Simon and I work as a Junior Sous Chef at the Widder Hotel in Zurich. I’m 23 years old and originally come from beautiful Austria.
What inspired you to broaden your professional horizon in the Swiss hotel industry? Were there any particular aspects that appealed to you?
I've always loved the hospitality business, because you’re so flexible and can work anywhere in the world. That gives you the opportunity to choose a destination that suits you. It was clear to me from the start that I wanted to work in Switzerland. The decisive factor was the large number of luxury hotels and restaurants here.
Zurich is known as an expensive travel destination. What surprising discoveries did you make in terms of the cost of living in Zurich?
I think that depends on how you look at it. You don’t move to Zurich without knowing about the high cost of living. It should be clear that, especially at the beginning, you’ll be faced with a lot of costs. But if you’re lucky enough to find a nice, affordable apartment, it’s not as bad as you might think. In addition, you mustn’t forget that the salary is also aligned to the high living costs.
What are your personal highlights in Zurich that make life here special and that you would like to share with visitors?
I really enjoy living in the city because there’s always so many great things going on. What I most like about Zurich is the city’s central location. Despite its size, you never really feel that you’re confined in any way. There are also so many fantastic ways to spend your free time at weekends. The proximity to the mountains and the lake, which make Zurich such an attractive place to live, is definitely something else!
When you look back at when you started work in the Swiss hotel industry, what would you do differently the second time around?
To be completely honest, this is the third time I've worked in hotel industry here. I spent the last two years in Denmark and a short time in Germany, but I always seem to be drawn back to Switzerland! For me, there’s something very special about Switzerland, because the quality of living is simply unique.
What indispensable tips would you give to people who are thinking about following in your footsteps?
I can only recommend that you just go for it! Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Switzerland not only has very good hotels and restaurants, but also stunning scenery, with its mountains and lakes, which offer so many possibilities for pursuing leisure activities. And then there's the infrastructure – and Switzerland is also politically and financially very stable, which minimizes the risk for you. I would therefore encourage you not just to wonder what it might be like, but at least to give it a try! In my opinion, this is true for every aspect of life!
