BARBARAHOF INSIDE
TAMARA WRITES “BACK AT THE BARBARAHOF…”

Born in Mondsee in Upper Austria, I first came to Saalbach in December 2012….

Having just finished my A-levels and still pretty “green” behind the ears, I’ve decided to go for the winter season and build up my experience – but where to? I had no idea!

An acquaintance told me that he had worked as a chef at the Barbarahof in Saalbach over the last few winters. Well, why not? So I applied for a job as a waitress at Barbarahof. In October, I made my way to Saalbach for an interview.

After a great conversation with Roland and boss Elfriede, we fixed the position. Off to the “winter season” adventure!

I can still remember being quite excited and curious about what to expect and, of course, what my new colleagues were like. But I soon realized that I didn’t need to worry about that at all. I got on extremely well with Mandy (the bar waitress at the time) straight away. Berni and Daniel were also a great service team. The whole family atmosphere and the guests were great. I immediately felt at home and enjoyed the time – even though it was often very stressful ☺.

It was a great experience and I learned a lot – I would immediately recommend it to anyone who wants to gain experience in the catering industry.

My plan was to return to Mondsee after the winter season. My colleague Susi, however, saw it differently! She told me: “You’ll fall in love and move to Saalbach!” But that’s not what I had in mind at all ;) Saalbach is nice, but I was sure that I would return to Mondsee…

But as it happened, she was right and I got to know and love a Saalbacher. Nevertheless, the thought of moving to Saalbach was still a long way off for me, so I first went back to Mondsee after the season. But I moved to Saalbach in August 2013 ☺

I would have liked to start again at Barbarahof straight away, but I wanted to change careers and there was no vacancy for a receptionist at Barbarahof at the time. So I started at a different hotel. I stayed in contact with Katrin and Roland and in 2015 Katrin and I even attended the ÖHV’s department head academy together!

4 years later, the opportunity arose for me to return to Barbarahof. Of course I had to seize this opportunity. So I started again at Barbarahof at the beginning of June 2017. I found the good working atmosphere again this time. I even knew one or two of the employees from my first season!

As I’m working at reception this time, everything was still new to me at the beginning. Thanks to Sophie, I was able to adapt to the new work area as quickly as possible. It was an exciting experience for me to work at a different reception desk after 4 years.

Unfortunately, I’m already leaving Barbarahof again after this summer, because I have a completely different challenge ahead of me – I’m going to be a mom ☺

I’m really looking forward to this exciting new time, but I would have liked to work here again for a little longer. But one thing is certain for me in any case – it’s not goodbye forever. I only have very good memories of both seasons and my life in Saalbach started with the Barbarahof, which of course connects me with the house and the Steger family. Barbarahof has definitely taught me one thing – sometimes things just turn out differently in life
than you think ☺

Thank you for the great time I was always able to spend with you and hopefully I will be able to do so again one day!

Kind regards,
Your Tamara

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