The Swiss government has opened a Centre d’hébergement collectif de Rigot, which is basically a temporary shelter complex hosting refugees. The food truck is run by a couple of brothers from Syria who are residents of this complex and prepare authentic Syrian cuisine. 

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, they park their food truck just opposite the UNHCR, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees – quite a symbolic location for their food truck to show the dignity and pride with which refugees are able to serve the society, if xenophobia is replaced with state support and humane policies. 

I had a word with one of the brothers once over a chicken schawarma (which was delicious by the way, you can choose to have a spicier version) – he is a computer engineer who had to flee the war and after a series of travels, he got an asylum in Switzerland. 

Sometimes it’s not just the food that we eat, but the stories that give meaning to the how the food is served – and the story behind this food truck makes me want to support it and bring travelers to try it.