Cham, 30.10.2020

Locals, immigrants and refugees say "en Guete" together

Together with other organizations, the FRW Intercultural Dialogue Zug association organises favourably priced ‘encounter lunches’ in five Zug communities, whereby the food is cooked by immigrants, refugees and locals.

There’s a marvellous spread at the vicarage (Pfarreiheim) of St. Jakob in Cham, even though social distancing and hygiene are being observed. There’s a seductive smell of exotic spices. "I like coming here," says 82-year-old Maria Grazia Weiss, who is one of the first to arrive. "I’m often alone, and I can have contact with people here. The people are friendly, the food is fine and cheap, and I can even have coffee and a dessert," she says enthusiastically.

"Creating contacts between locals, immigrants and refugees and thus breaking down fear is our main goal," explains Eva Wimmer, coordinator of the FRW Intercultural Dialogue Zug association, who has been running the project of cooking and eating together with the Catholic and Reformed Churches and the Kiss Cham Neighbourhood Aid in this form since 2016.

"Another goal is to provide refugees with basic training in gastronomy, so that they can gain a foothold in this industry later on," says Wimmer. The main aim, however, is to familiarise them with the local kitchen appliances and the hygiene regulations.

As authentic as possible
On the one hand, the cooking is carried out by teams of local people, in order to familiarise the immigrants with the local cuisine. But this is also done in mixed groups, in which the head of the cooking team chooses a traditional menu from his or her home country. "It is important to us that the recipes are prepared as authentically as possible," emphasises Eva Wimmer. Those who participate regularly will get to know Syrian, Tibetan, Iraqi, Iranian, Turkish, Kurdish, Eritrean and Swiss cuisine. Registration is only necessary where the food is served in smaller halls.

The 38-year-old Kurdistan Maruf is today’s a cooking team head, and her first name also reveals her origins. "We’re making Tashrif with bulgur and rice," she says. In order to also cater for vegetarians and vegans, vegetables can be cooked instead of meat. Pork is not cooked out of consideration for the Muslim religion. "And the Coptic Church also prescribes numerous days of fasting, on which only vegan food is allowed," says Eva Wimmer. So attention is also paid to this.

Photo 1: Tursunoj Akramova (left) and Kurdistan Maruf in the kitchen.
Photo 2: The offer is very popular
Photo 3: Co-organizer Karin Pasamontes.

Kurdistan Maruf's three kitchen assistants come from Turkey, Uzbekistan and Kurdistan. Even before the first guests arrive, everything is ready. The food is served at the table today – another corona measure. "You usually first pay at the checkout, obtain a receipt and then fetch a plate yourself from the buffet," Wimmer explains. Prices are very reasonable. A menu for an adult costs CHF 7.00, while children from 6 to 16 years of age and people with a tight budget pay only CHF 2.00. "But everything still adds up financially," says Eva Wimmer. This is because all the helpers work free of charge, and the halls are provided free of charge by the congregations and parishes.

The hall soon becomes very busy. Around 50 people have turned up, including a young father and three mothers with young children. "I've already  been here once with my daughter Zaira," says Eva Bila. She liked it, so she has brought three friends with her today. "Eating together is much more fun than sitting alone at home," says her friend Betti Pudelko. One or other of the children sometimes express their discontent during the next hour, but that doesn't bother anyone here.

Making a contribution against waste
The food is brought out by the four-person service team under the today’s head, Karin Pasamontes from the Kiss Cham association. The dessert consists of delicious cream tarts, as well as grapes and coffee. "We have an agreement with the surrounding bakeries as well as with a large distributor," explains Pasamontes. "On the evening before, we are allowed to pick up bread and desserts, vegetables and fruits that have not been sold."

Everything is of impeccable quality. "This is our contribution against food waste and it also helps to keep costs low." If too much is cooked, we can freeze the leftovers or give them away for free to people who are on a tight budget.

 

If the measures that have been recently imposed by the FOPH/BAG make it impossible to continue these events, information will be provided on www.frwzg.ch.