My Travel CV: My Michelin-star meal came with deep-fried toad skin

Dessert Masters host Amaury Guichon has eaten his way around the world, but nothing could've prepared him for his fine dining experience in Bangkok.

Swiss-French pastry chef, chocolatier and Dessert Masters host Amaury Guichon says travel has taught him what is possible in life. This is his Travel CV:

I got my first passport…

At birth. I received two passports because I had both French and Swiss citizenship.

My first holiday memory is…

Tunisia, when I was two years old. I don’t remember much of it, though I do have a photo of me next to a dromedary camel.

As a child I travelled to...

Chypre (Cyprus) when I was about six years old. I remember being awakened extremely early, probably around 3am. It was so cold and I didn’t want to go. My first fun travel memory was when I was 12 or 13. I visited Vienna during winter and it was snowing. I remember walking all day seeing the beautiful Austrian architecture and eating Sachertorte at a traditional Austrian café.

I’ve been to...

Over 27 countries. I’ve done two layovers in Japan so I’m going to count Japan as well.

My favourite place in Australia is Melbourne. I love the diversity in its culture.

My favourite place in Australia is…

Melbourne. I love the diversity in its culture, the people are open-minded, and I enjoy the food. One of my favourite neighbourhoods is Fitzroy as it feels genuine and alive.

The place I’d love to visit in Australia is…

Gold Coast. When I flew to Australia, I did a layover on the Gold Coast. During the flight, I saw the ocean with small pieces of land and it looked stunning.

The place I’ve visited most often is…

Italy. My grandfather was born in Venezia (Venice) and it is the city I visited the most since I have ancestral origins there.

My grandfather was born in Venezia (Venice) and it is the city I visited the most.

What I’ve noticed has changed in travel…

The price of transportation and the quality of flying. Everything has multiple layovers, is outrageously expensive, and everything is an add-on. You want access to the internet, it’s an add-on. You want to eat, it’s an add-on.

The place that most surprised me was…

Thailand. It was my first trip to Asia and it was mind blowing. The kindness of people, the quality of raw ingredients – everything was new to me.

The advice I’d give to young travellers is…

Travel as soon as you can and do it young so it can help build your adult self. I know it sounds cliché, but travelling changed my life and my perspective of the life I had in America. I felt gratitude when I saw the living conditions and the kindness of people who lived in underprivileged countries.

The place that most surprised me was Thailand. It was my first trip to Asia and it was mind blowing.

My holidays are mostly devoted to…

Work. I would say 90 per cent of the countries I’ve visited were for work as I used to teach masterclasses all around the world. If I get downtime, food is usually the most important thing for me. I think you learn so much about a culture from its food.

The sickest I’ve been on holiday...

Was in India. I was adventurous enough to try a traditional Indian meal and my stomach was not prepared for it.

The souvenir I always buy…

I rarely buy souvenirs. I’m a bit old-school and I love living in the moment and remembering my experiences.

I was adventurous enough to try a traditional Indian meal and my stomach was not prepared for it.

The worst thing that’s happened to me while travelling…

In Costa Rica about five or six years ago someone broke into my car and stole my passport, camera, cash, credit cards, and phone, which had all of my work videos on it. I couldn’t get back home because my Green Card and passport were stolen.

The most interesting person I’ve met on a plane is…

I’m not a very social person on a plane. Once I met (US Senator) Bernie Sanders on a plane and he was in economy class, which was very on brand.

The weirdest thing I’ve eaten while travelling was…

In Bangkok. It was a Michelin-star meal and instead of chips and salsa, it was deep-fried toad skin – with eyes and everything.

The best thing I’ve eaten while travelling was in northern Italy. It was a simple tortellini dish made by grandmas.

The best thing I’ve eaten while travelling was…

In northern Italy. It was a simple tortellini dish made by grandmas.

The travel tips I’d like to share are...

As I like to be well prepared when I travel,I have external batteries, adaptors, a small first-aid kit, chapstick, and currency from the country I’m in. I don’t drink the tap water and avoid street food unless I’m with someone who knows the area well.

Travel has taught me…

To be grateful for what I have and to open up to other people. As a Frenchman, I was quite sure of myself, a bit stubborn, slightly arrogant, and proud. I thought I knew it all. Travelling showed me so much more than where I came from. If you do it right and take it all in, you don’t just go there to eat the food. Instead you really live with the local people and understand their culture, religion, traditions and values. Each of those things show you the extent of what can be done in life.

Travel has taught me to be grateful for what I have and to open up to other people. Picture: Supplied.

How many flights have you missed?

The one flight I missed was from a hangover. I woke up right when the flight took off.

Passports/visas/wallets/luggage lost?

None.

Who is your favourite travel  companion?

Ashley, my girlfriend.

Flight, cruise, car or train?

Train as it’s silent, painless, and there’s no motion sickness. I travel a lot by train, since you don’t have to stop and refuel or deal with traffic.

The second series of Dessert Masters premieres on Monday, October 14 at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.

Originally published as My Travel CV: My Michelin-star meal came with deep-fried toad skin