'I would be very unhappy without work'

Fedde Wieringa (23) has been working with great pleasure in the Catering department of Werkse!One day, he hopes to be seconded to a promising position in the hospitality industry. To achieve this, he's committed to continually learning new things to ultimately master the profession.

When Fedde first joined Werkse, he worked for a while in the Assembly department. Fedde: 'But that wasn't for me. I like being around people, working with customers and colleagues. Ultimately, my ideal is that I can work through Werkse! go to work on secondment, for example in a café or a restaurant, perhaps as a chef.

Barista
Fedde followed at Werkse! Barista training. "A barista is a professional who can do everything with coffee. They know everything about coffee beans and how to make the most delicious coffee. They have to ensure fresh coffee beans and learn how to properly froth milk, but also how to properly clean the coffee machine." Every day, Fedde works from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Barista in the Atrium. Werkse! and prepares his delicious cups of coffee. And… he has mastered what's known as Latte Art. "I create graceful shapes in the frothed milk while pouring and stirring: a heart, a tulip, even a rosette!" The latter is the most difficult because of all the delicate petals that have to be visible. Fedde learned these skills internally. Werkse! and also received training there from the assistant Dutch barista champion. 'And I perfect my skills in various ways skills daily.'

Cutting proof
Fedde enjoys learning new skills: "It gives you a sense of accomplishment. And later, when you apply for a job, you can show what you're made of." That's how he learned how to properly, quickly, and safely cut meat, vegetables, and fruit. The result: a "cutting certificate." Fedde: "I learned how to cut properly from my former chef, Hanneke. Now I know exactly how to do it. Haha, I did cut my fingers a few times before I got that far..." You do a lot of cutting in a company kitchen, he says. "Usually in preparation for the next day's meals. Cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and so on. Tomatoes and cucumbers have to be peeled very thinly. Tomatoes are the most difficult to cut, and you need very sharp knives."

Cleanliness
In a company kitchen, cleanliness and hygiene are paramount. That's how Fedde learned how to work according to HACCP regulations. "These are the rules for food safety and hygiene. It's crucial for everyone's health that these regulations are followed. We're doing very well here; we received 100% approval during the last three inspections. That's why we clean thoroughly every afternoon after lunch."

Fedde would like to do more cooking himself; it's his passion. That's why he regularly cooks at home for his group of four, including his twin brother. "Lasagna, soup, or a tasty vegetable dish. Cooking at home is also a great learning experience. What I still find difficult is cooking according to a recipe. I prefer to follow my instincts, but in my work, you simply have to follow a recipe. I'll get there, I'm sure."

Work is very important to Fedde: "You get to interact with people, and you continue to develop as a person. As a child, I often withdrew from company, but now, step by step, I'm getting better at socializing. That's because of work. Without it, I would be very unhappy."