Kuno Trevisan leaves Rathauskeller restaurant

Kuno Trevisan (on the right in the photograph) is pulling out of the business he shares with star chef Stefan Meier (on the left) after more than 20 years’ working together.

“Twenty years is like half a marriage,” said Trevisan, “so leaving is a bit like a divorce,” adding what a great time they had had together. On the other hand, he also felt it was the right decision to take and mentioned how a great weight would be lifted from his shoulders.

The reason for his departure relates to an incident 15 months ago, in August 2017, when Trevisan was making his way home from work late in the evening on his electric scooter and fell off it. He managed to drag himself home, with some neighbours calling the police, assuming he was drunk.

The 45-year-old had actually sustained serious injuries, breaking all his ribs in several places on the left-hand side, not to mention a broken shoulder, a torn diaphragm, a ruptured spleen and a skull fractured in three places. As a result, he was in intensive care for two weeks, doctors unsure whether he would make it. While he pulled through, his medical team still thought he would be partially handicapped, yet after a successful two-month period of treatment at the Adelheid rehabilitation clinic, he was back at the Rathauskeller again.

The former chairman of Food and Beverage Management Association and vice-president of Gastro Zug is still not 100 per cent fit and had to ease his way back into his routine, following carefully the advice of his neurologist. Naturally he was not able to put in the 16-hour days he had previously done so.

The accident and period thereafter also meant also a difficult time for his wife and son. It was such a relief for him to have been able to see them again. What he is greatly appreciative of is the fact that the accident did not leave him with any lasting physical or mental problems.

The accident also had an effect on Meier of course. “I did not think I would be spending my last years at the Rathauskeller under these circumstances,” said the 62-year-old, thinking it would be he who left first, with him handing over to Trevisan. Now Gaby Rogenmoser is taking over Trevisan’s responsibilities in the service area and Nina Wismer those in administration. As to the kitchen, Meier is now assisted by Irene Lo Bianco. “Of course, I am sorry to see Kuno go, but I perfectly understand why.”

As to Trevisan’s future, he is hoping to take on a leading role soon, though in which area was not specified. “My passion for gastronomy remains strong and of course I will be returning to the Rathauskeller to meet up with one of my best friends again.”