Alanna Sapwell

35, head chef at Beach Byron Bay

What time do you wake up on a Saturday? Around 8am.

Local coffee haunt?

I’ve just moved to Byron Bay and am still settling in, but living in Fortitude Valley, I loved Bellissimo. The coffee is consistently delicious and it’s an unpretentious setting with super friendly staff.

Favourite restaurant?

Yoko Dining at Howard Smith Wharves in the Brisbane CBD. I’d go here at least once a week. It suits every mood – whether it’s home comforts like Japanese bolognese with thick cut noodles, or something fresh like their stunning selection of quality sashimi. I always leave room for dessert with either a miso caramel soft serve or kakigori washed down with a yuzu slushie. There is so much to love plus great view and tunes.

Favourite takeaway?

Happy Boy in Fortitude Valley for their mapo tofu, duck fried rice and greens with pork. Although I always opt to eat in as I try and avoid all that unnecessary packaging.

Favourite pub/bar to catch up with friends?

Snack Man, Fortitude Valley. I always seem to find myself in this wine bar, snacking on a few xiao long bao – delicious soup-filled dumplings – and fun drinks from their exciting list of wines in the dark, moody setting with some friendly faces.

Best place to meet people?

The Scratch in Milton. It’s an older favourite but they always have something fun on such as local art or a trashy movie on a projector. The beer is delicious and they are dog-friendly so the perfect place to see your friends and their companions.

Where and when do you exercise?

You can’t beat a run along the river in New Farm. I also love to put my head under water at the Valley Pool or go for a hike to break up the city setting.

Best hidden treasure in Queensland?

Lamington National Park or Flinders Peak in the Scenic Rim for a hike, Scrumptious Reads in Red Hill for a book, or Café Kafenio in West End for an authentic Greek experience.

Favourite place to holiday in Queensland?

My mother has spent the past 10 years building a boat so I am making the most of her hard work. We just spent a week snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Port Douglas. What we saw was priceless.

What’s your idea of the perfect Saturday?

Kick start with a run, followed by coffee at Bellissimo, pick up some produce from the Powerhouse Markets in New Farm, some wine from Cru in Fortitude Valley and then cook up a late lunch for some friends on the barbecue.