Curtis Stone shares his top travel hacks and tips for cheap eats

He's an internationally renowned chef but when it comes to eating out when he's travelling, Curtis Stone says it's always better to follow the locals.

When he travels, chef Curtis Stone loves to seek out where the locals eat and discover regional dishes.

I travel… For work and leisure. I come back to Australia at least six times a year, and always love filming MasterChef, which I’ve been lucky enough to be part of since its inception. We recently went on a family trip to Mexico because I have a restaurant, Woodend, on the Riviera Maya. Next we’re going to Italy for the European summer.

Curtis Stone's restaurant Woodend at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel on the Rivera Maya in Mexico.

I plan the trip myself and use a travel agent… For business trips generally I lean into the experts as my schedule is often all over the place and requires more intricate planning. If it’s a holiday with the family, we love to do the planning ourselves. We like the challenge of finding off-the-beaten-track hidden gems whether they be restaurants, eateries, shops, or interesting local hangouts. We often have a loose plan and then piece it all together once we arrive after speaking with locals. I can’t say it doesn’t stress my wife out a little.

Inside my carry-on is always… My Cargo Crew chef jacket – it’s one of my essential tools of the trade.

I pack my suitcase… Quickly. I travel so often I’ve got it down to a fine art, taking only carry-on so I can get through the airport with pace. My trick is to have everything laundered and pressed as I go. It’s kind of genius for business travel.

Celebrity chef Curtis Stone visiting a dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong.

I save money when travelling by... Eating where the locals eat. I love to get off the beaten track, immerse myself in the culture, and really understand where and what everyone eats. I did this recently in Hong Kong. I can’t help but get sucked in to check out the different cooking techniques, interesting ingredients and watch the local signature dishes being created. It’s just so special. I’m not going to lie – I normally ask if I can get in and check out their kitchens too.

My favourite type of travel companion is… My family. As I’m constantly travelling for work, I love it whenever they can come with me. We try to have one special family holiday a year so we can truly connect by spending time together.

I like to get to the airport… With seconds to spare. I see it as a challenge to be going through security as they’re announcing the final call. Needless to say, I’m not everyone’s favourite travel companion.

Curtis Stone appears on MasterChef Australia this week.

As soon as I check in… I go straight to the gate as I rarely leave enough time for lounges.

On the plane I dress… For comfort. I’m a jeans and jumper kind of guy.

My tip for getting the best meal possible on a flight is… Eat early, then sleep. I am all about maximising my time on the ground at the other end so on a long-haul flight my priority is landing feeling as refreshed as possible.

My favourite airport is… Melbourne because it means it won’t be long until I can see my parents and brother. But as far as wow factor, Singapore’s Changi Airport is pretty special.

St Ali is Curtis Stone's go-to coffee spot in Melbourne. Picture: Visit Victoria

The one restaurant I will always visit when I’m in Australia is… St Ali in South Melbourne for my coffee fix and a snack. I’m such a sticky beak, so I usually try to check out the newest restaurants and eating spots, which means I’m rarely at the same place twice.

The one thing I will always take back to the US from Australia is… Vegemite. I can’t live without it nor can my kids.

The one song that is always on my travel playlist… My son’s band, The Rookies. He’s only 13 years old but is cooler than I’ll ever be. He plays lead guitar and sings.

The destination I think is best bang for buck is... Mexico. To be honest it has the best of both worlds. Mexico is a destination that you can do on a budget or be a little more fancy. Visiting some of the smaller beach towns in Mexico you can find hidden gems and it can be really budget-friendly.

The travel app I swear by is... I’ve always used Waze. It will sometimes take you on the tourist route, but will guarantee to avoid the traffic, mostly.

Curtis Stone returns as guest chef on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win this week. The showscreens Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.

Originally published as Curtis Stone shares his top travel hacks and tips for cheap eats