Aa the head chef and restaurateur behind Thomas Corner Eatery, a respected restaurant perched on the Noosa River, David Rayner is a champion of produce from the Sunshine Coast. But where does this discerning chef, English native, and state judge for the delicious.  Produce Awards eat when he’s not working?

Rayner opened up his black book for us.

Breakfast spot:

Le Bon Delice at Peregian Beach. I love their French pastries and they always have a wonderful selection – pains au chocolat, eclairs and croissants.

Coffee spot:

I have two favourite places for espresso. Amo Gelato, right next door to Thomas Corner, and the Little Boaty cafe attached to the Noosa Boathouse across the road. I drink short blacks.

Late-night tipple:

Flux Lounge on Gympie Tce has a nice selection of wines by the glass, and they also make an impressive margarita. It’s open until late.

Food markets:

Nothing beats the Queen Vic Market in Melbourne, but locally I love Yandina market, for its fruits and vegetables direct from the source. I always manage to find some new interesting herbs and seedlings here.

Best bakery:

Noosa Hot Bread Shop in Noosa Junction makes traditional artisan breads and has excellent sourdough and pastries.

Fish market:

I go to the outlet store of Noosa Fish Providores in the industrial estate in Noosaville. They work with local fishermen and will often purchase an entire boat’s catch. Recently, I’ve discovered amberjack and flame tail snapper.

The best of Noosa:

Noosa is all about outside dining with a water view. We have such a great selection of venues to choose from, with river or beach vistas.

Recommended hotel:

We don’t have a huge selection in Noosa but the Sofitel in Hastings St is hard to beat. It has a central location, pretty landscaped pool and thoughtful service.

Things you miss about England:

Gastro pubs with a great selection of beers on tap, and traditional black pudding.

David Rayner’s top picks for Queensland

Local landmarks

“For lunch, I would opt for Rickys (above), which is on the river, or I head to Sails on the beach and order the beautiful coral trout. For dinner, I’m a fan of Season and share a couple of pizzas with the family.”

Nearby escape

“I nip down to the Gold Coast for a two-day trip and explore all the new eateries. I tend to stay at the northern end and scoot down to Broadbeach and beyond. There are so many gems: Rick Shores, etsu, Hellenika (above), and The Fish House to name a few.”

Capital Ideas

“In Brisbane, I like Stokehouse Q (above) for long lunches. The view over the river is arresting, the service is first-class and the menu is innovative. For dinner, I would go to LongTime in Fortitude Valley for Thai-style dishes bursting with flavour.”