Wage Watchers: How much does a Volvo canteen chef earn?

What do you do?
I work as a chef in the kitchen of the automobile company Volvo. Beyond the daily demands of working in a large corporate kitchen, when the big Volvo bosses come to eat, we are expected to serve higher-end dishes, such as lobster or oysters. To deal with that demand, our kitchen has two chefs: one manages the cafeteria kitchen, while the other takes care of ‘the dining room’ – as we like to call it – and we rotate these tasks every week. Aside from these central duties, my fellow chef and I supervise eight sous-chefs. This involves teaching them how to make bread, correctly cut and prepare vegetables and so on.

Do you enjoy the work?
I began cooking in a hotel academy when I was 11 years old, and I still love it today. I’ve always looked forward to going to work in the morning. Even after a long holiday, I’m happy to be back in the kitchen. Before working at Volvo, I worked in a restaurant. That of course meant working long days and weekends. Working in the Volvo kitchen is a 9 to 5 affair, which is much nicer.

What do you think of the pay?
Considering how little schooling I did, I’m very happy with my salary of €1,589 net per month. If I had to start over again, perhaps I would have studied longer to earn more than I make now. But back in my 20s I was tired of studying. Plus, a higher salary alone wouldn’t cut it; the job would need to still be in the food service industry. A desk job is definitely not for me.    

Do you manage to save?
We may not have the money to buy a fancy car, but what we do manage to save money to spend on new furniture. Our home has gone through a complete transformation since we first bought it.

What do you like to spend money on?
Bikes. I love to cycle, and if the weather is accommodating, I even bike to work.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would first place the money in an account for a few months because I wouldn’t know what to do with it all right away. I would try to make my mother happy and also give some money to my in-laws. But really, money is not the most important thing: Staying healthy is what counts. Two of my colleagues lost their lives to cancer, which gives you a whole new look on life.