If you have visitors/guests with you, where do you ensure you always go to give them a real taste of Spain?

CM If I am in Barcelona, I always like to take my guests to El Xampanyet. It is a small tapas and wine bar near my culinary school—its food is awesome, authentic and consistent. Other excellent tapas bars are Mont Bar and Bar Cañete. 

Another must is to visit the local markets. While Boqueria is the biggest and most famous, I prefer to go to Santa Caterina Market—it is smaller and less crowded. Many chefs from Barcelona also go there in the morning to get their produce.

The last part of the visit will be to the FC Barcelona Stadium and Museum. As you are allowed to go inside the stadium and get close to the field, you can feel what players see before they start a game. It is pretty impressive because the stadium can fit up to 100,000 people.

What are your favourite heritage dishes and where are some of the places you go to find them?

CM There are a few heritage dishes to try in Barcelona. First will be the pan con tomate (Spanish-style grilled bread with tomato). I love the rendition at El Xampanyet because the chefs serve it with homemade anchovies. Another must-try is patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and my favourite is at Bar Tomàs in the Sarrià neighbourhood.

In the summer, I often get myself a horchata, a beverage made with tiger nut, water and sugar. It is really delicious and it always reminds me of the good summer vibes during my childhood days.

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What is the first dish you eat when you return and where do you go for it?

CM I always look forward to eating fricandó made by my mother—it is a beef oyster blade stew made with moixernons (local mushroom), white wine and onion. It is the type of dish that is better to eat at someone's home rather than in a restaurant, as it takes time to cook and requires a lot of love. 

I also look forward to going Conesa, a sandwich bar near Barcelona’s City Hall. It makes the most delicious hot-pressed sandwiches, in my opinion.

Do you have a favourite restaurant in Spain for fine dining and for more casual experiences? 

CM In Barcelona, I always try to visit Disfrutar. I have been there four times—my first was when it first opened in 2014, and throughout the years, I have managed to see how much the culinary team has improved. They are very creative and I always go there to learn about avant-garde cuisine.

I also enjoy Cinc Sentits, so I can visit my mentor and friend chef Jordi Artal. I had worked for him for four years, and as he is a self-taught chef, it is impressive to see how far he has gone—he used to be a marketing director at Silicon Valley, and now, he holds two Michelin stars.

Where do you like to meet up with your old friends for food/drinks?

CM We like to go to La Barra in Sant Cugat (a 10-minute drive from Barcelona and where my parents live). It is a good tapas bar with good prices for both food and wine in a central location. 

Is there anywhere else that you never miss visiting when you are back?

CM I always save two days to go to Cadaques. It is a beautiful charming town two hours north of Barcelona—it is my favourite place in the world, and it is the place where I want to retire. One of my best friends also lives there, so I visit him there and catch up with each other's lives.

Read more: 10 Great Spanish Wines To Take Note Of (And Drink)

What do you always take back to Singapore with you when you leave Spain?

CM I always take Iberico ham with me. Usually, my grandma buys a leg, gets the shop to slice and vacuum pack it, so I can store it in my fridge for a year. Another one that I like to bring is berberechos; these are really delicious cockles in brine that last a couple of years in the dry storage.

Where do you go to find authentic flavours of home where you live?

CM When I miss Catalan food I usually cook it at home on my day off and share it with my partner and friends. As I am so used to cooking in the restaurant, I can't prepare meals in small batches anymore—hence, there is always plenty of food.

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