Motherhood has reshaped my perspective

Abigail is the Food & Beverage Assistant Restaurant Manager at Maritim Amsterdam, originally from South Africa. Thanks to COVID, she suddenly became a full-time mother. This changed her not only as a person, but also her behaviour in the workplace. A heartfelt plea for a mama sabbatical.

A proper cup of tea

“My mother is from Greece and my father from England. They met about 53 years ago in Lusaka, Zambia, before they moved down to South Africa and settled down in Johannesburg. My Greek heritage dominates my childhood but the good ol’English side taught me the value of a proper cup of tea. With being the youngest of 5 I had the greatest responsibility of taking full advantage of being the last born. Growing up in a big family taught me the values of teamwork, resourcefulness and independence. I moved to Cape Town in 2014, this was after I met my husband, we were engaged within 4 months and this year marked our 9-year anniversary. It might have been something to do with my cooking, and perhaps the way through a man’s heart is through his stomach. We have a beautiful son together and he turned 6 this year.”

Private cheffing

“We moved to the Netherlands in 2022. It has been a whirlwind of an experience, and we absolutely love living here. My son speaks fluent Dutch, and we are slowly catching up to him. We have with open hearts and minds adopted the Dutch way of life and continue to learn every day. My adventure in hospitality started with me completing my studies to become a chef at HTA School of Culinary Arts. I am a person that likes to connect with people from all walks of life. I like to bring structure to everything I do, whether it’s my work schedule or planning play dates for my son. I see myself as reliable and approachable, someone others can count on to bring energy and order to any situation. After completing my studies to become a chef in 2013 I have had the opportunity to work in catering and events, be a part of the culinary department in varies tv shows and movies, 5 star hotels where I catered for international sport teams and their dietary requirements, food marketing agencies where I learnt about marketing and design, and private cheffing for some of the elite international clients from the UK to America. Two weeks after I had my son, I was baking banana bread for a local coffee shop because I missed being in the kitchen. I was able to work flexible and lean on my husband and family to help when I needed it. Later, my mother would stay with me to help with my son, while I took on various private chef jobs.”

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Being a private chef for a very, very important client

“Sadly, when coronavirus hit South Africa all my clients for the season cancelled their trips and that was then I decided to dedicate my time at home with my son. This was my next venture of being a stay-at-home mother. Being a private chef for a very, very important client, my son. It was precious time that I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to watch him grow and hit all his milestones. Motherhood has profoundly reshaped my perspective, not just by making me more patient, but by fundamentally altering the way I view myself and those around me. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the small moments, teaching me to slow down and be fully present with the world around me. This shift has been invaluable in my work, where I now find myself better able to empathise with both guests and colleagues, understanding their needs more intuitively and responding with genuine care. In many ways, being a mother is like learning to explain the world from scratch - showing a child how to walk, enunciating words, and guiding them through each new experience. This has honed my ability to communicate and support others thoughtfully, which I now bring into my role. Just as I guide my child with patience and clarity, I approach my work with an emphasis on creating a welcoming environment, ensuring each guest feels valued and understood. Motherhood has enriched my life with purpose and perspective, reinforcing the importance of connection, understanding, and presence in every interaction, both at work and beyond. Being a mother has shaped me in ways that I can never explain or ever have expected. I have grown alongside my son, learning as much from him as he has learnt from me. He has shown me strengths that I didn’t know I had and patience. It is a joy to watch my son discover the world.”

There’s a bit of me in every little corner

“When my son was settled with his schooling, I knew it was time for me to get back to my career. I had the time to think about what my next move was going to be and my focus. I live in the neighbourhood of Maritim Hotel and have the pleasure of watching this beautiful building be built and take shape. One day I was at the park with my son and as I sat on the grass. I looked up at the Maritim building and thought about my days I worked in the hotel kitchen; it was fast paced and exciting. It was about creating a team you want to work with every day, developing your skills and learning. I already knew I wanted to step out of the kitchen and develop my skills with customer service and guest experiences. This was then when I applied at the Maritim. I'm the F&B Assistant Restaurant Manager for all our outlets, and I’m especially hands-on with Wiener Café and Restaurant Noord. I love diving into everything from hiring new team members to choosing the smallest details, like the perfect candle holders, to give each space its own unique vibe. I’m all about making sure my fingerprints are everywhere so that when we open, there’s a bit of me in every little corner. It’s been amazing to be involved in the whole process, and I can’t wait to see everything come to life!”

Making memories

Making memories “My ten-year plan is like putting together a puzzle, with each piece representing something meaningful I want to achieve. Professionally, I’m excited to keep growing in the hospitality industry and work towards becoming a certified Sommelier. On a personal level, I’m passionate about learning French and Portuguese fluently and traveling across Europe to discover new cultures and savour more delicious food. I want to share these adventures with my family, making memories with my husband and son as we explore the world together."

In this series, we interview team members of Maritim Hotel Amsterdam about their passions and dreams.

Text: Vincent van Dijk / Pictures: Lissy Witte & Maria Andres