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THE ROADIE COOKBOOK: TOURED THERE, ATE THAT Production professionals release a 124-page recipe book with a mission to raise funds for Mental First Aid training for every tour bus in the UK.
Borne out of an idea by Production Manager Nick Gosling (Nile Rodgers & Chic) in April 2020, The Roadie Cookbook: Toured There, Ate That was curated with friends Production Coordinator Julie Cotton (Massive Attack), Production Assistant Athena Caramitsos and Backline Tech Rich House (Elbow). The team set out to help their peers re-engage in the much-missed mealtime connection of crew catering by producing a 124page recipe book to raise funds for Mental First Aid training. When the devastation of COVID-19 hit, live music stopped overnight, and tour buses stood still. While almost every venue in the world closed, home kitchens became the new catering hub for unemployed music workers. As stories of memorable meals and secret ingredients in roadie comfort food took hold, so did the stark reality that isolation and mental ill-health was becoming commonplace within the forgotten touring business. The team met through the Manchester music scene and recognised
first-hand how food can bring people together when touring the world. The idea of an industry cookbook was formed and soon turned into a fundraising initiative tasked with generating enough sales to secure crisis prevention training for those travelling on the road. Carefully crafted by backstage professionals, the book showcases a collection of 50 recipes, anecdotes, and advice for staying healthy on tour. Recipes include The Killer Sandwich, Stage Left Satay Bowls, Tour Bus Nachos, and an anonymous ‘Loose Cocktail’. Contributors have worked with artists and events ranging from Dolly Parton to Bryan Ferry, The Chemical Brothers, Kylie Minogue, Glastonbury, Linkin Park, Robbie Williams, Anastacia, Jay Z, and many more. They work in a variety of skilled roles; lighting designers, bus drivers, sound engineers, tour managers and video directors, to name a few. These are the people whose skills ensure the show goes on and, even when it can’t, still come together to get each other over the line. 20
