A maître like no other

With wit, charm and humour

As a maître, he has been a fixture at the Hotel Alpenblick for over 15 years and it's hard to imagine life without him. With his charming humour and entertaining remarks, he continues to delight guests time and again. Many may already have guessed, but for everyone else, we are revealing the secret: today, in our interview - our dear Jan Cunik!

Jan, you have been working at Hotel Alpenblick for many years. Do you still remember your first day?

„I come from Slovakia and arrived in South Tyrol through a job agency. I started my first day at Alpenblick in 2007 - full of anticipation and determination. Then came the first shock: everyone here speaks Italian! Colleagues, guests - probably even the dogs of the regulars. I understood nothing and thought to myself: "Okay, that was a brief and pleasant adventure." Fortunately, my colleagues persuaded me to stay - probably because they found my creative order-taking highly amusing. 😉“

Speaking of order-taking: was there ever a particularly funny moment?

„It was right at the beginning, in the middle of summer, the hotel full of Italian guests, and I was taking a dessert order. A lady said something – and the only word I caught was "uova," meaning egg. "Ok," I thought, "she wants an egg for dessert. Strange, but fair enough - the customer is king!" So I marched into the kitchen and confidently ordered a hard-boiled egg for dessert. The bewildered looks from the chefs made me hesitate, so I sent a colleague to double-check at the table. The lady burst into laughter: she hadn’t wanted an egg at all but had said she was allergic to eggs and wanted her dessert without any! Luckily, she found the story just as funny as my colleagues did."

What does a maître actually do, and how did your career begin?

„I start the morning with my colleagues preparing breakfast to ensure our guests have a great start to the day. In between, I juggle table plans, organise the team’s duty schedules, and make sure everything runs smoothly. In the evening, I look after our guests - always with a listening ear and, of course, enough time for the occasional joke.
However, my career began quite differently: I originally wanted to join the military, but my year group was skipped - and so I ended up waiting tables with my friends. I first worked in a 5-star hotel in Slovakia before heading to Austria. Eventually, I thought, why not go on an adventure? So, I signed up for a job on a cruise ship. It was an incredible experience, no doubt, but I also promised myself: once is enough - I don’t need to do that again. “

Was there ever a moment when you realised: I’ve chosen the right job?

"What moment came when I noticed that I wasn’t just good at the "craft" but genuinely enjoyed my work. I think it happened when I started to take things more lightly and developed more patience for different situations. I used to be much more up tight and tense. I also realised that my colleagues were no longer just workmates but had truly become a second family. That sense of teamwork, mutual support, and shared humour showed me: this is where I belong."

What makes a day truly great for you?

„It’s when I come into the office after my day off and I’m not met with a pile of paperwork. When I can just start my day normally without anything left over from the previous shift, I know: this will be a good day, and everything is running smoothly.“

Are there any guest encounters that have particularly stayed with you?

„I’ve built wonderful relationships with many guests. They’ve become like a second family - people you don’t just talk to about the food and their stay but about everything, even their underwear.  It’s great to have those kinds of connections that go beyond just business. ”

How important is teamwork in your job?

„Teamwork plays a massive role in my job. I’m really happy with my team - we support each other, stick together, and make so much possible. Everyone contributes to ensuring the day goes smoothly.”

What makes Hotel Alpenblick so special for you?

„Without a doubt: the people! The colleagues and the owners treat you like part of the family. There’s a fantastic atmosphere, and you can feel it in the work. It doesn’t feel like “working” but more like “being at home” – and that makes all the difference."

How do you relax after a long day at work?

„In winter, I love going on ski tours away from the crowds - just enjoying the tranquillity of nature. In summer, I like running or cycling to clear my head. Movement and fresh air really help me unwind.“

Do you have a special strategy to make difficult guests happy?

„My strategy? Laughter! 😊 A witty remark here and there often helps lighten the mood. When you show guests that you take them seriously but also greet them with a smile, they usually become much more relaxed - making the work more enjoyable for everyone.”

If you could spend an evening at Alpenblick with a famous historical figure - living or deceased - who would it be and why?

„I would love to spend an evening with Peter Sagan, the Slovakian cyclist. A cool guy who would fit perfectly into this laid-back environment. I can imagine we would have a great conversation and exchange many exciting stories. ”

What advice would you give to newcomers in the industry?

„Be patient, stay calm, and don’t lose your nerves too quickly! Precision, accuracy, and patience are crucial, especially in the beginning. Things can get hectic at times, but the more precise you are, the easier everything becomes.“

What can guests do to make your job and your team’s job easier?

„Be relaxed and easygoing - and don’t get on our nerves too much. 😉 Just kidding! But when guests are in a good mood and enjoy themselves, it makes the work much more pleasant for us. We always strive to make everyone feel comfortable, and if the guests stay easygoing too, everything runs smoothly."

Thank you so much for the chat, Jan! 😊