Lisa Faulkner starred in popular soap Brookside and BBC drama Holby City, amongst other TV appearances before going on to win Celebrity Masterchef in 2010.
And now Lisa has made a name for herself as a chef, with three cook books under her belt and presenting various cooking related shows.
This weekend will see the launch of the Sky Kids Café which will run through May Half Term (30 May to 1 June), offering children a chance to meet characters from their favourite TV shows, as well as arts and crafts.
And Lisa has provided a special menu for everyone to enjoy; including bite size Scooby Dogs (hot dogs), Sleeping Snails (sundried tomato and parsean buns) and Mr Krab’s Fish Fingers with Sweet Potato Chips and Lemon Mayo – which all sound amazing.
Speaking about why she wanted to get involved in the Sky Kids Café, Lisa said: “I jumped at the chance to be involved in this project– it’s just so fun and a lovely idea all round.”
Explaining that the project allowed her to create an imaginative menu inspired by Scooby-Doo, Ben & Holly and SpongeBob SquarePants, she believes the event would appeal to a lot of parents.
She explains: “It’s free for all to enjoy, which I knew would appeal to lots of parents out there as we’re always looking for cool places to take kids that has good food that is nutritional balanced, tasty and imaginative and this event ticks all of the boxes.”
We also spoke to the 44-year-old to get an insight into how Lisa’s career has changed dramatically in the past few years.
Lisa Faulkner starred in shows like Brookside and Holby City, but what made her turn her hand to cooking?
“Everything changed when I won Celebrity MasterChef, and I decided I wanted to write a cookery book from all my favourite family memories and that lead to a lot of other opportunities and I have never really looked back!”
Would Lisa Faulkner ever return to acting?
“Of course I love my career as an actor but things have changed in my life and a lot of the time cooking seems to work better with where I am in my life right now, but I will always be an actor and I hope one day, hopefully soon, the right opportunity will come along at the right time.”
Lisa Faulkner won Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, and has gone on to host Real Food Family Book Off and What’s Cooking. But does she plan on hosting another cooking show?
“Everything I have done I have really enjoyed. I feel most happy when I am chatting to people about food and cooking and would most certainly like to do more.
“I have worked as a presenter and as a cook on This Morning for many years now, in fact I have just returned from Australia after filming for This Morning with John [Torode].
Lisa Faulkner is currently dating celebrity chef John Torode, so is there any kitchen rivalry?
“It's a strange one as I get asked that a lot, but of course there isn't - for starters he is a proper chef and I am just a cook, but we do cook a lot together and really complement each other.”
Will Lisa Faulkner be joining Strictly Come Dancing this year?
“NO WAY! Have you seen me dance - it would be a disaster!!!
What is Lisa Faulkner planning next?
“I am busy writing the 4th as we speak which is due out next spring 2017 - it's a classic family cookbook.”
Lisa Faulkner has curated a kids menu for the Sky Kids Café, inspired by shows from the new Sky Kids app. Open from 30 May to 1 June, book your free visit at skykidscafe.eventbrite.co.uk.
READ MORE: MasterChef: 16 things you didn't know about the hit cooking show