Chef and hospitality powerhouse Luke Mangan is responsible for designing menus for airplanes, cruise ships, hotels and even trains, keeping him constantly on the move. These are his golden rules for travelling like a pro.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to a new city?

Walk, walk, walk– it’s the perfect way to get your bearings in a new city and to rid yourself of jet lag!

How to do you find the best places to eat?

Definitely do a little research before you go; talk to people that have been to the city you are travelling to and get their recommendations. Talk to locals and get their insider tips. When I’m travelling alone, I’ll often sit at the bar and talk to locals or staff to get tips of places to eat and drink – you never know where it might lead you.

How do you avoid falling into tourist traps?

I often get a gauge of a restaurant by looking at the crowd. If it looks like locals are there, then chances are it is probably pretty good. Check the menu as well; if the menu looks like a standard menu, offering every different type of cuisine, then I would generally skip it.

What are your favourite overseas locations for finding great food?

My top three locations would have to be Italy, New York and Singapore.

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten on your travels?

It’s almost impossible to choose just one thing… but one of my most memorable meals was actually while staying at il San Pietro Hotel. I grabbed a take away pizza and a bottle of local pinot in the nearby town to take back to the hotel room. We sat on the verandah overlooking the water and the town of Positano with a slice of pizza in one and a glass of wine in the other – it was a pretty magical experience.

And the worst thing?

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of cooked bugs and insects from some of the street carts in Asia, but I’m always willing to give anything a try once!

Are there any essentials you always carry with you?

Being a chef, you always need clean hands, so I always carry hand sanitiser and I never leave home without my iphone, ipad and rechargers – sad but true!

What are your tips for eating like a local but not getting sick when travelling?

It’s great to be adventurous when travelling (that’s part of why you leave the creature comforts of home), but it’s important to be a little wise too – nothing worse than spending your holiday in a hotel room. Being in the restaurant business, I’m lucky that I get to chat to customers and local diners, as well as our staff, and I can pick their brains on the best local places to eat.

If you want to try street food, but are a bit apprehensive, what are some golden rules to follow?

I am a huge fan of the street food in Singapore; their health regulations and standards are extremely high which makes it very safe, but not all street food is the same. I generally look for places that are busy –  that way you know the food is turning over quickly. Do a quick internet search, and read local guide books and magazines for insider tips.

On long haul flights, is it better to  have a drink to relax or to abstain completely?

Well, we all know what we should do. I do enjoy a nice glass of wine with a meal, so I don’t shy away from one or two glasses, but I definitely drink plenty of water before and after – especially if I am travelling for work and I need to hit the ground running when I land.

And the question we all want an answer to – what are your tips for fighting jet lag? Are there any foodie remedies?

My golden rules are as follows; when you board the plane set your watch to the destination you’re travelling to. Drink as much water as you can throughout the flight. Avoid heavy meals when sitting for long periods – heavy creams, sauces and pastas won’t do you any favours! Stick to light meal option instead, such as salads, grilled chicken or fish, soup, fruit & yoghurt.