Australian Actress Stefanie Jones has no hesitation in declaring “I am a definite foodie. I just love food”.

Stefanie, who is playing Mary in the UK Tour of Mary Poppins, admits she inherited her love of food from her mother and father.

“My dad is Irish and my mother is Greek so preparing and planning big meals, where all the family sits round the table, is part of their culture.”

“Mum and Dad are both fabulous cooks. When I was growing up I would watch my mum preparing meals and always wanted to help. I would stir pasta and generally help with cooking chores”.

Stefanie loves all different kind of foods especially when she is back home in Australia. “I really like a spaghetti marinara and Mexican food. There is such a big Asian community in Australia that the Thai and Chinese food is absolutely wonderful and there is a big choice of Asian Fusion foods, which I particularly adore”.

One outstanding meal that Stefanie recalls is one in Cyprus. “I travelled with my husband to see is family there and his uncle Fred made a wonderful meal for us and he invited the whole village.

“It was held outside in his large courtyard and even people passing were invited to ‘just come in’.

“The food was amazing we had spit-roast chicken, numerous beautiful Greek salads. One in particular was so tasty it was made with fresh pomegranate”.

Like most actors when Stefanie is on tour she has a definite regime.
“I always start the day with a late breakfast of fruit and granola – I particularly love bananas.”

Stefanie plans her meals very well and on her days off at home she does batch cooking. “I make different meals that will see me through the week. My favourite meal preps are chicken and vegetable stir fry and rice bowls as they are easy to prepare

“I usually eat this between shows but unlike a lot of performers I don’t eat a big meal late at night after the show” Stefanie admits.

“After the show I will make something light and say cut up a carrot and some humus with a cup of tea and a little piece of chocolate”.

Stefanie gets real satisfaction and enjoyment from hosting friends and relatives for meals. “It’s a wonderful thing to plan and cook the food but even more wonderful to see them really enjoying what I have prepared.

Stefanie Jones as Mary Poppins Photo: Danny Kaan

Chicken Marinade

For say 8 large pieces of chicken mix together:
Three quarters of a cup of brown sugar (or honey if preferred, say 1-2 tablespoons)
Half a cup of soy sauce
2 cups of water
1-2 teaspoons full of minced ginger
1-2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of oil
2 tablespoons oregano
Place chicken pieces in a baking dish. Pour marinade over chicken and marinate for 1-2 hours making sure to turn the chicken a couple of times.
Bake chicken uncovered in 180C oven until cooked (1-2 hours), making sure to turn the chicken a couple of times
Serve with a little of the marinade spooned over

Mary Poppins is at Bradford Alhambra until 29th June
For other tour dates including Sunderland Empire from 1 October And Liverpool from 14 January 2026 click here.