Back from being away: food truck Falafel & Halloumi restarts on Utrecht Science Park after fire
On 20th of July 2024, a fire broke out in the kitchen of the foodtruck Falafel & Halloumi on the Utrecht Science Park. No one was injured, but nothing was left of the food truck. After a crowdfunding campaign, a lot of insurance work and his own money, owner Eid Alhadad managed to restart. We talked to him about how he is doing now.
Eid had been on the Utrecht Science Park with his food truck for over three years. His food was popular among students, employees and visitors to the Utrecht Science Park. The fire that broke out cost him a lot of money and energy, but eventually he managed to come back with a new food truck. Although it is not yet like it used to be. Eid says: ‘It’s not yet running as well as it did with the old food truck. Many people don’t know we are back. We have the same concept, but unfortunately turnover is still a bit lower. People need to know how to find us again.’
While Eid is positive, it will take time and effort to get back to the old level. ‘We are trying our best to do everything the way we did at the old stall. We have been here for a long time, so hopefully that will help us grow again.’
“I have had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me.’
Eid is very happy with the crowdfunding, although it was not quite enough for the entire funding. ‘I was very happy with the amount raised by the crowdfunding campaign. It certainly supported, but by no means all of it. In the end, a lot had to be arranged with insurance as well and I also had to invest my own money and from family. All in all, it has ensured that I can stand here again, for which I am grateful.’
He continues, ‘I’ve also had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me. They said: ‘We stand by you, we are going to support you’. That felt really nice.’
Eid is not quite sure yet what his future looks like here at the Utrecht Science Park. If it were up to him, he would like to stay here for years to come. ‘I’ll see, in any case I’m putting my full weight behind it,’ he says.
From Utrecht Science Park Foundation, we are very happy that Falafel & Halloumi is back at the Utrecht Science Park. Hopefully everyone will know how to find their way to its delicious and sustainable food truck again, and we wish Eid the best of luck.
Free Bicycle Light Repairs Mark Launch of National Cycling Visibility Campaign in Utrecht
The national bicycle lighting campaign ‘AAN in het donker’ (Lights On in the Dark) will be launched on 29 October on Leuvenlaan at Utrecht Science Park. Between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., cyclists can have their lights checked and repaired free of charge. André van Schie, Member of the Provincial Executive, will be there to talk to Utrecht residents about the importance of proper bicycle lighting.
Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht awarded with twelve NWO Vidi-grants
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded Vidi grants to 109 researchers. Twelve leading researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht will each receive a Vidi grant of up to €850,000. NWO awards Vidi grants annually, enabling recipients to develop an innovative line of research over the next five years and further expand their research teams.
Ureka Mega Challenge winner 2026: ReVoice restores one’s own voice after voice loss
People who lose their voice, for example after surgery for head and neck cancer, want to be able to speak again with a voice that sounds like their own. ReVoice aims to provide this, with the help of AI. With this innovation, head and neck surgeon Weibel Braunius, innovation manager Mart Schoondermark, and patient Boudewijn Faber won the Ureka Mega Challenge 2026 from UMC Utrecht.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.