Author and Blue Executive Club Member Shane Mitchell has travelled the world extensively, chronicling her curious culinary adventures for magazines and her new book. She shares her travel tips with The Club

What’s your most memorable foodie experience? 
Photographer James Fisher and I shared a bunkhouse with Icelandic shepherds while they were doing the annual sheep roundup. We’d come in from a day out in the cold and rain, and the farm wives had cooked ground-lamb patties with rhubarb preserves – delicious. 

What are your top three travel essentials?
I always carry a Thornwillow Press notebook, my Canon G15 Camera and my favourite sweater, made by Icelandic designer Steinunn Sigurðardóttir. 

And your tips for beating jet lag? 
I’ve tried it all: no alcohol, hydrating, zero light exposure… nothing worked. I just give myself time at the start of the trip. When I’m flying from New York to London, I catch the 8am flight so I arrive in the evening, eat some dinner, then go straight to bed.

How do you freshen up after a long-haul flight? 
A hot bath with plenty of bubbles, although in remote places this isn’t really an option because water is in short supply so it’s irresponsible to fill a tub. If I can’t have a bath I’ll try to find a great bar. I was recently at the Connaught in London and they served Arette, my favourite tequila brand. I had to order some because it’s hard to find outside Mexico.

What’s the best way to explore a new area? 
I usually go for a walk first. I have a network of professional contacts around the world, so I’ll make lots of calls and learn about the culture, language and politics, and where I should be eating. Local knowledge is so important. Guidebooks can be static, and cultures change and evolve quickly.

What do you spend your Avios on?
Upgrades. I’m not an overly picky traveller but if the upgrade is available, I’ll take it. I don’t tend to use them on other flights, because my idea of a holiday is really spending time at home in New York with my husband. 

Shane’s new book, Far Afield: Rare Food Encounters from Around the World (£35, Ten Speed Press), is out now. Homepage and parallax images for this feature courtesy of photographer James Fisher

Interview by Matt Hutson

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips