Going "On Tour" Gluten-Free

Membox · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Hey All,
I'm pretty new to this, having just started a gluten-free diet a few weeks ago. I have a unique situation that I'm not really sure how to approach.

I am an entertainment lighting technician and my job is to go on tour with artists setting up and maintaining their equipment. Meaning I can be traveling from a week to several months at a time, in different cities everyday.

I am starting to get used to buying gluten free and making my own meals gluten free when I am at home, but I don't know how to approach constant travel. We will typically get catered meals every show day so I can certainly make it known that I have a gluten intolerance. Yet many times it will be a different catering company every stop.

Just looking for tips on how best to describe it, and other general tips for eating out.

I will have a look at the posts on this forum more as I just found the site and I'm sure there is lots to read.

Thanks for the help.

-Matt

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8607 Location: WI, USA

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the board! Wow - what a cool job! I always marvel at the stage/sound/light crews of any production. I have almost as much fun watching you guys as I do the performers. Without you guys - we wouldn't be able to see or hear the performers very well. ROCK ON! [as lame as it is, I did lighting whilst I was in school, even considered getting a degree in technical theater. It's just always interested me.]

This will most certainly be a challenge! I don't think we've ever had some thing like this. Cool

How much of your own equipment can you carry? Can you take a little grill with you? What about refrigeration/coolers? Do you have access to any of that? Would you be able to get to a store to purchase food? There are so many logistics in your line of work we [me] just don't know. Maybe you could fill us in a bit?

What type of foods do you like?

While it might appear to be easy with the caters - it's probably not the best choice. Lots of chance for cross contamination and unknown ingredients. The knowledge of caterers and GF may vary wildly. It'd be best if you'd have a bit more control over your meals.

It might not be a bad idea to get some dining cards or make up some sheets yourself - just in case.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Membox · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Thanks for the kind words and the welcome. Yes my job is lots of fun and I don't really consider it work, very exciting but can lead to a crazy schedule.

As far as what I can bring, I could probably manage something like what you suggested or a small foreman grill. Typically their are small hotel style fridge/freezers on the tour bus which I can use. It would depend on the tour how much space I get for my own personal stuff. Those are good suggestions though.

A typical day would have me waking up on the bus at the venue with about and hour to get ready and eat breakfast. Start working at 9am, get 1-2 hours each for lunch and dinner...on a good day. Finish loading out the show around 1-2am. Get back on the bus and drive to next city, do it again. On some tours there are "runners" whose job is to run errands for the band and crew. Whether I could include my shopping in that I'm not sure. With many of the tours I would be doing "weekends". Meaning going out Thurs-Sun and then back at home for the rest of week. So I could stock up on frozen items and other things to eat each week.

On longer runs of weeks and months, there are days off on which I can buy food. Yet many times you spend your days "off" on the bus traveling to the next city.

I had assumed that with catering. Since they are preparing and serving food for up to 50-60 people many times, it seems CC would be a problem. Which is a shame since that would be easiest.

I like fresh fruit and vegetables. Of course standards such as pasta (which I know I can get gluten-free), barbecue, and classic roadie food pizza and beer haha, which I know I can't have anymore.

I will look into dining cards and the sheets you mentioned.

Thanks again!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8607 Location: WI, USA

Hmmm...interesting...

Hormel has a number of GF shelf stable foods that might be easy for you stock up. No fridge needed for those items.

There's always the ever popular GF Food Case

I'm going to guess you know your stops ahead of time. You might find Health food stores/Whole Foods/normal grocery stores closest to the venue you'll be at. If you're lucky enough to get a runner, you could supply them locations and specific lists of items to get.

There's no need to give up beer! You just have to have GF beer! Very Happy

_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

nancw · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Denver, CO

Hey Matt,
My husband and I both work for a nat'l production company (he's audio and trucker), and I've always thought it would be nightmarish to do the gf diet on the road. It's not like you can have your needs written into the band's rider! Carrying your basics is a must and not trusting craft services should be your mantra due to cross contamination issues. I'll think more on this and talk to some touring dogs I know to see if I can get any more ideas.
Welcome! Who are you out with this summer?
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

Membox · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Cool, good to see some other production people on here.

I'm not out with anyone at the moment. I just graduated from college in December and was able to get a tech job with bandit lites in Nashville. Hopefully it looks like I will get a tour sometime this fall.