Matthew

Hi there, my name is Mat Stokes.

I’m the proud proprietor of Pension Penhab!

My love of skiing and snowboarding has brought me to live and work in Austria.

After leaving school I spent 2 years at Thanet college training in Professional catering and then did a further year in Restaurant supervisory and advanced craft kitchen. My work experience, while at college, took me to many exciting places such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the British Embassy in Paris.

My first dream came true when a lecturer at college handed me an application form for a ski season. I went on to work 2 years at Hotel Reigler, Saalbach, as a commis chef, then a senior sous chef, I then worked for 2 winters at Pension Enzian, Saalbach as head chef. I worked a summer in Austria as a general cleaner and also a summer in Corfu as a chef de partie. I have travelled and worked my way through much of Europe - washing plates, cleaning rooms and butlering for the royals!

2006/07 winter(to see how much I would miss Austria) I ran a luxury chalet in Verbier, Switzerland. I had a fantastic time and was challenged in the kitchen but knew in my heart Austria was my home.

Finally, here I am, at Pension Penhab!

I wish you the best stay, bring on the slopes and Jagermeister. Prost!

Mat