Barista Sander Snel: ‘Every customer deserves a friendly welcome’
On a busy day, Sander Snel sees three hundred people at his coffee counter in the Herta Mohr building. ‘It's fun to remember everyone's favourite drink.’
What did you want to be as a child?
'My father worked as a chef in hotel-restaurant ’t Goude Hooft in The Hague, where he was trained by Herman den Blijker. I loved that, so I knew from an early age that I also wanted to go into the catering business. And so I became barista. My younger brother also wanted to follow in my father example: he works as a marketing manager for a catering company. We all love wine, too. When we are together on weekends, we’ll usually open a good bottle. My mother is the only of us one who doesn’t work in catering. She has her own business helping people lose weight. It’s pretty ironic for her to be among three of us hospitality fans.'
How did you come to be working at Leiden University?
‘I worked as a barista for a long time at Van der Valk, but I didn’t want to work at the weekend any more; I wanted to spend more time with my girlfriend. I came to the university via the Hogeschool Leiden. Over the past year I’ve worked at the University Library, Rapenburg 70, Pieter de la Court and Gorlaeus. Now I have my own counter in the Herta Mohr.’
Every morning between eight and nine, the hall is filled with a wonderful aroma. That’s when you’re baking the croissants. What’s a typical working day for you?
‘I often kick off the morning by baking the croissants. Apart from that, every day is different. I arrange coffee get-togethers and lunches, make sure the place is looking spotless, that the orders are kept track of, but I’m also a kind of receptionist. If people don’t know how to find their way somewhere, I ring whoever they have the appointment with or tell them how to get there. I’m also the emergency response person for this building, so I know all the locations. I also take in deliveries of parcels. For me, that’s all part of the hospitality, just like dealing with last-minute changes when an unexpected big lunch or coffee order suddenly comes in, and making sure there are plenty of gluten-free options.’
What is your favourite product?
‘My coffee. That just has to be good and I like making shapes in the foam. It’s also important for me to surprise people: paying them special attention, giving them a friendly welcome. I try to remember what people usually order. My photographic memory helps a lot with that. I also like to keep offering new products. I think about what more I could do with a salad, for example. My colleague Roselijn and I are going to put out a suggestion box shortly so people can add their own ideas.’
Have you ever been given a brilliant tip?
‘It’s not exactly a tip, but I’m really grateful to my colleague Jhon Pelmelay from the UB. He taught me how to run your own shop. It’s partly due to him that I’m here now.’
What is your favourite place in Leiden?
'I'm a hospitality guy, so I love coming to the Nieuwe Rijn, with all the bars and cafés there. And De Waag is one of my favourites.'
What does your ideal weekend look like?
'On Saturday I often wander around the Leiden market, just checking out all the stalls. Sunday is match day: I am the video man of a Voorschoten men's team from the transitional league. I film all their training sessions and matches, so we can then analyse what can be improved. We play all over the country, so sometimes that means a return trip to The Hague and sometimes a trip to Groningen. In total, it takes up at least sixteen hours a week'.
Do you sometimes play a game yourself?
‘I played hockey for a long time and fanatically, at a high level. I injured my ankle so that hasn't been possible for a few years now, but I must say I don't miss it. I’ve completely found my niche in filming.
‘I still play the occasional game of padel and I want to pick up tennis again. I'm going to teach my girlfriend how to play.'
Do you make a lot of special coffees at home?
'My girlfriend doesn't even like coffee! I usually stick to a cappuccino for myself. Like many other non-coffee drinkers, my girlfriend does like chai latte. I always do my best to make a really good one then.'