If you’ve ever dreamed of working with your partner & skiing together then a Chalet Couple job could be perfect for you. One of you is the Chalet Chef, the other the Chalet Host & together you are responsible for running your own chalet & ensuring your guests have a fantastic holiday. Many couples use this opportunity to work together as a springboard to set up their own business in the future.
Working as a Chalet Couple is a challenging & rewarding job. You are jointly responsible for the food, house keeping & all front of house duties for your chalet. Additionally you may drive your guests to the slopes, arrange lessons, equipment & passes; book restaurants & massages. The smaller boutique chalet companies providing higher levels of service, for example The Alpine Club, also employ Chauffeurs & Resort Assistants to support the Chalet Couple.
6 days a week you will prepare breakfast, afternoon tea & dinner, which may include up to 6 courses of fine dining cuisine, tailoring menus to guest’s dietary requirements & high tea for children. Laying tables, serving meals, cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms & guest areas, not forgetting the snow to clear & the wood to chop will keep you extremely busy. You’re constantly in the public eye, so you need to deliver your service in a warm, friendly & highly professional way. The key to success is to work together, help each other & be highly organized & you will then get plenty of time to ski together & enjoy the mountain life.
For couples working in hospitality, you are often working different shifts, & rarely see each other. One of the biggest benefits of the Chalet Couple job is that you work the same hours so you’ll see a lot of each other & get to ski with each other. As a couple you’ve also got a vested interest in helping each other to get the job done quickly so you can get out skiing together. Couples often have a 6th sense, and will know each other well which translates into seamless service for the guests.
When applying for a Chalet Couple position there are a number of things to consider when putting together your application. Find out about the company, the level of service, where the chalets are located, chalet sizes & the resorts. Be clear why you want to work for a company & tailor your application to the company explaining why you would make a great Chalet Couple - how your experience or skills match the companies requirements; how your style of food and service matches; how you can add value. Make sure you have the required experience or qualifications, for example, The Alpine Club only employ chefs with NVQ level 3 & fine dining experience.
Companies will be looking for stability & longevity in a relationship so explain how long you’ve been together, when you’ve worked together, & why you make a fantastic team. Sounds obvious but follow the company’s recruitment procedure, for example if they request food photos & a recent photo of you make sure you send them.
If spending a season in the snow working & skiing together is your dream, then a Chalet Couple job is the perfect way to make your dreams come true.
"If working & skiing together is your dream, then a Chalet Couple job is the perfect way to make your dreams come true"
Written by Helen Raemers, Company Owner of The Alpine Club. The Alpine Club is a boutique chalet company in the 3 valleys & is recruiting Chalet Couples now.