The mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston has launched a project, Notes From Musicians’ Kitchens to raise money for Help Musicians UK: ‘I’ve also observed that my colleagues and friends throughout the music industry share my love of food, that there is a very definite link between food and music and the comfort both bring. Food is not just a universal need but also a universal link to our homes and communities, and a universal pleasure, just like music, and so, in the midst of this worldwide shutdown, I want food to bring us all together as a global community, uniting us with the aim of raising money for musicians in need.'

Her NFMK website is an online recipe collection, accessible via donation, to help professional musicians in need. ‘As soon as the cultural industries were shut down,’ she says, ‘it became clear immediately that most self-employed performers would face major financial issues, even bankruptcy. Most performers live life on a financial knife-edge because if we don’t work, we don’t get paid, and we aren’t catered for under the current statutory sick pay regime.’

Recent additions to the recipes include Stephen Hough’s porridge, Kati Debretzeni’s Mum’s chicken soup, Anne Midgette’s Don’s flank steak and Julian Robinson’s Brooklyn chocolate blackout cake.

Jennifer Johnston adds: 'Notes From Musicians’ Kitchens is a means of digitally breaking bread with each other, of sharing and appreciating our diverse food cultures, of creating new memories. Once lockdown is over, food will be used to celebrate our freedom and our ability to give each other hugs again, not to mention throw parties. The recipes are from all over the world, and all have a personal story attached, we all have our own stories to tell.' In the process of establishing this project, Jennifer asked musicians to tell her what food means to them: 

Food is culture

Food is habit

Food is nourishment

Food is health

Food is identity 

Food is memories

Food is comfort

Food is family

Food is community

Food is universal

Food is life

Food is home

Food is LOVE