Exceptional Yacht Crew: Stefan Schenk
I speak to Stefan Schenk, Head Chef on S/Y Perseus 3 about his career as a chef onboard yachts.
Sandra
I found you specifically through your website, and more and more, I am finding that social media is playing a really big role in not only yachts presenting themselves for charter but also in crew members and assisting them getting hired. Why do you have a website? What do you feel that it brings to your role or representing you?
Stefan
When I started in yachting nine years ago, I got jobs through word of mouth. And then at some point, I was fed up with a job, and started looking for my dream job, so to say. I was sitting in the crew house, I didn't have much to do because chefs don't really dockwalk, so I thought why not set up a website while I'm here waiting to get calls? So I set up this website. It took me a week to do that, and after that, the job offers, they rolled in. I found a really good job and stayed with them for two years. So the website really, really helped me to get to where I wanted to be. Also, social media and Instagram is playing a big, big role. Have you seen my Instagram page?
Sandra
I don't think I've actually seen your Instagram. I've been on your website. What is your handle?
Stefan
It's @chefan_schenk
Sandra
Oh, there we go. Oh wow. Yeah. Okay, so you've got nearly 20,000 followers, so that's definitely…
Stefan
Yeah, so [laughter], it's really working for me. I get a lot of offers to collaborate with brands. I haven't really done it yet because I don't really find the offers really pay enough, and brands are not really what I want to represent. But it's getting there.
Sandra
Okay. Sure. And just in terms of your role to getting onboard, why the jump to yachts? Why did you decide to leave land and go work on
Stefan
When I was younger, I was traveling a lot. I was planning to do a working holiday in Australia.
Sandra
Because you’re Dutch.
Stefan
Yeah. Yeah. And I was in Thailand at the time, but it was difficult to get a visa-- to arrange it in Bangkok to get a working visa. I ran out of money, and by chance, I found this job on a smaller sailing yacht, 35 meters (112 foot). And I thought this is a nice way to keep traveling and earn some money while I'm doing it. And I decided to make a career out of it.
Sandra