Meet the Chef: David Myers

Hometown: Los Angeles.

Occupation: Chef.

Favorite destinations: The world.

Dying to visit: Singita in Africa, India, Laos.

Bizarre travel rituals: None, unless you call packing really last minute bizarre.

In-flight relaxation regime: Campari and gin — basically the dressed-down negroni.

Always in carry-on: Bose noise-canceling in-ear headphones, Aesop face oil, iPad mini loaded with books.

Concierge or DIY? I like to control the itinerary, so I book.

See it all or take it easy? Depends. My focus is really to eat, drink, and repeat instead of having to see all the sights.

Drive or be driven? Be driven in cities. In the country, driving with a playlist is nice.

Travel hero: All international pilots on 747, A380, A340-4-500, and 787.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Too many, but the amazing ability of the Vietnamese to fit eight people on single scooter still gets me.

My favorite hotel is Asaba Ryokan in Shizuoka, Japan, because it's a great place to totally decompress.

I dream about my meal at Sushi Shin in Tokyo.

Best hotel amenity: Aesop soap.

Favorite childhood travel memory: My first plane ride to Florida. I loved the way the jet engines sounded and the way I was pushed backed into my seat. I was all smiles.

Everywhere I go, I check out the best cocktail bars, bookstores, and most unique clothing boutiques.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by running around the city and taking trains.

I always bring home fruit from the hotel that I forgot to eat stuck in my jacket.

If I never return to ______, it'll be too soon because ________. I haven't found that place yet, but I still have 20 pages left in my passport to find it.

I travel for the inspiration.

MORE DAVID

Website: www.gypsychef.com
Twitter: @chefdavidmyers
Instagram: @gypsychef
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