The Porthminster Beach Café is nestled beneath the steep slopes of Porthminster Point, right on the beach and with stunning views across St Ives Bay to the Godrevy Lighthouse. Its young Australian head chef, Mick Smith (pictured above,) likes surfing almost as much as he does cooking and moved to St Ives three years ago having worked at top restaurants in Australia and the UK. Mick talked to Stephanie Fox.

Why did you come to Cornwall?
I found London claustrophobic after having been brought up by the beach in Australia, so I made my way down to Cornwall and fell in love with St Ives. I need to be by the ocean as I find it puts me at ease. I love it here because the coastline is so beautiful - I enjoy getting out and exploring it.

What’s the view like from the Porthminster Café?
It's pretty magical. I can step out of the back door of the kitchen onto golden sands, with St Ives Harbour as a backdrop. In the summer, the sun sets over the harbour and you can spot dolphins jumping out of the water. Diners can experience that view for themselves either from within the restaurant through big glass windows or they can eat on the terrace on a lovely day. When the weather's really good we take the diners out onto the beach with one of our regular barbecues.
What do you think about the local produce here?
It is simply the best that I've found anywhere I've been cooking. The seafood is exceptional and it’s right on the doorstep. There seem to be a lot of passionate, quite eccentric, people down here that are really into growing fruit and veg, making cheese or farming - and they are doing it at the highest level. Just meeting people like that inspires me.

Why should people eat at the Café?
If people genuinely care about food they will walk through the doors of our café and note that we feel the same, straight away, plus they will have an exceptional view which really can't be beaten.

Porthminster Beach Café, Porthminster Beach, St Ives. Tel. 01736 795352. www.porthminstercafe.co.uk

Keep an eye out for Beach Café, a series about Mick and The Porthminster Beach Café. Discovery Travel Living, Mondays, 9pm.