'My family will not forgive me if I left home without cooking for them': Chef Carlos Rodrigues

The executive chef of Renaissance Downtown Dubai on his kitchen secrets

Your best food-related experience.
My father and I have taken many trips, but my most cherished experience was when I was 12 years old in Mexico, and we had the most amazing culinary experience, which lasted for 15 days.
Who do you admire most in the culinary world, and why?
Rainer Zinngrebe. He works as Marriott VP for Luxury Brands, and he was my first Executive Chef when I joined The Ritz Carlton. He is one of the wisest people I've ever met, and I have learned many things from him, as a chef and person.
Your favourite culinary destination, and why?
Every year, I plan to visit a famous culinary destination to spend time with my wife and two daughters because we love to travel and eat, of course. We're not really picky with places as long as we eat together. The most recent place we visited was Sri Lanka.
How often do you eat out? What's your favourite place around town?
Once a month, I spend time to visit new places around town, but my restaurants at Renaissance are my favourite places to be.
You're asked to invent an unusual dish - what would it be?
An unusual dish would be sushi without rice.
One ingredient/dish you cannot stand, and why.
Tobiko and crabmeat imitation
After cooking all day, do you cook for yourself at home too?
Indeed, I cook at home. My family will not forgive me if I left home without cooking for them.
Favourite comfort food?
My favourite comfort food would be Five Guy's special burgers.
If you could choose a last meal, what would it be?
I would choose my favourite dish from each place where I used to work and share the moments with my family.
Where can we find you, when not in the kitchen?
I'll be at my home spending time with my wife and daughters.