2008 Best on the Best: David Coomer, chef, Star Anise, Perth

The Chefs

*Alla Wolf-Tasker, chef/owner, Lake House, Daylesford

*Andrew McConnell, chef, Three, One, Two, Melbourne

*Peter Gilmore, chef, Quay, Sydney

*Bruno Loubet, chef, Baguette, Brisbane

*Nick Holloway, chef/co-owner, Nu Nu, Palm Cove

*David Coomer, chef, Star Anise, Perth

*Chui Lee Luk, chef/owner, Claude’s, Sydney

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

*Jason Peppler, chef/owner, Isis, Brisbane

*Shannon Bennett, chef/owner, Vue de Monde, Melbourne

My favourite food shop is Kakulas Sisters (29-31 Market St, Fremantle, WA, 08 9430 4445). It’s literally a self-service Aladdin’s cave of the freshest spices, grains, dried fruits and nuts, Turkish delight, syrups, oils and coffee. I find it the most inspiring place to shop in Perth (apart from all the ferals and hippies). For restaurants, I have two favourites, both sadly not in Perth. At Quay (Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, NSW, 02 9251 5600), Peter Gilmore sources the most amazing produce in the country and cooks like an angel. Bodega (216 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, NSW, 02 9212 7766) is hip (almost too hip), and serves great honest Spanish food. It’s got the best mural in Australia. I wish it was in my neighbourhood. The restaurant I want to try next is Mugaritz and my favourite Australian food products are Glenloth pigeon and Western Plains suckling pig. Nice dry skin, creamy pale meat, clean-flavoured and beautifully tender. Everything eating a baby should be.

**ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Kitchenware supplier**Cut it Out in Perth (413 Murray St, 08 9321 9539). 

Café Milkd (32 Angove St, North Perth, 08 9228 8867). Small, great buzz. Stools and tables on the street. Good croque monsieur and coffee and a staff who care when they ask you how you’re going.

Bottle shop Wine Liaisons (48 George St, East Fremantle, WA, 08 6424 9500). Good range in their cellar with some smart back vintages. Quality stemware, Laguiole knives and openers. All sorts of serious wine wanker stuff.

WineryVictory Point in Margaret River for their smart Cabernet and elegant Chardonnay. One to watch out for in the future.

Drinking holeLittle Creatures (42 Mews Rd, Fremantle, WA, 08 9430 5155). Buzzy atmosphere, good crowd, good beer.

Cheese If it’s to be Australian, it would have to be Woodside Edith. Beautifully textured rind, soft silky interior, balanced goaty flavour.

Star Anise, 225 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park, WA, (08) 9381 9811, www.staraniserestaurant.com.au.

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.