ss Rotterdam by WestCord

My name is Onno Roodbol, I'm 41 years old, and I'm from Schiedam. Besides my passion for cooking, I enjoy spending time with my family, which I think is super important. I work at the SS Rotterdam as an Independent Cook in the Event Kitchen. Here, I work with pleasure on the hot side.

I found the job opening on the official SS Rotterdam website. I was looking for a unique workplace, and the Ship was the perfect place for that! During my first week of work, I was nervous and cautious. I had a lot to learn from my new colleagues and about the cooking methods. Gradually, I found my way in the Event Kitchen. Now, months later, I handle parties independently. This includes buffets for up to 300 people, walking dinners, and served dinners. Additionally, I supervise assistant cooks and interns, which makes me proud! I would like to further develop in my job. My ambition now is to eventually become a Chef.

I experience a positive atmosphere in our kitchen. We work hard, but we also laugh and sing together. I feel seen and heard. Therefore, I also experience good communication with my direct colleagues.

My workdays are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We always start with a joint kitchen meeting. During this meeting, we discuss what needs to be done that day. As I mentioned, I work on the hot side. Together with my colleagues, we handle buffets. We start preparing for the buffet the day before, so we do mise en place tasks. On the actual day, I focus on heating soups, supervise my colleagues, clean the workspace/kitchen, and assist my colleagues on the cold side when needed. This includes assembling pastries or sandwiches. At the end of my workdays, I always leave the Ship with a sense of satisfaction.