A breakfast cereal that doubles as a dessert is what gets Australian actress, comedian and parody queen Celeste Barber to feel less guilt at the end of her working day − her occasional go-to is a bowl of granola topped with Greek yoghurt, sultanas, banana and honey.

Ever since the 42-year-old started parodying models on Instagram with her own funny skits, Barber has become a global media sensation, amassing more than 9.6 million followers.

She is now poking the stick at wellness influencers and challenging their eating trends as part of a new For Real campaign to spruik low-sugar Kellogg’s breakfast cereal.

Barber, who splits her time between Australia and the US, also plans to roll out her beauty make-up brand, Booie, overseas while taking her stage show to Europe in April.

She spoke to Good Food exclusively for The Dish.

Eating in

Signature dish

My go-to meal is spaghetti bolognese. I buy passata, add diced tomatoes, throw in some dried herbs and cook it up. It’s a recipe my mother used to make, and it’s very simple to replicate. Thankfully my boys love it – and when they eat it all, I get quite emotional.

My husband loves my chorizo risotto. It’s his favourite. And I love making it because I have a couple of glasses of the wine I put in it.

Guilty pleasure

I have a palate of a seven-year-old and love a lolly. Right now, I am all about chocolate-coated almonds.

Kitchen wisdom

The main thing I have learnt about the kitchen is to stay out of it! My husband, Api, is an incredible cook, as is his mother − she grows vegetables like our own version of Maggie Beer. I am not a good cook, but I am a great assistant if you need a carrot chopped.

When I cook, I don’t like people telling me what to do, so, if I am adding a bit of boiling water to a schnitzel to tenderise it on the stove, I’ll do it.

Eating out

My favourite hometown restaurant

I live on the Gold Coast and go to Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads. Yes, everybody knows about this place, but they do make the most incredible Moreton Bay bug rolls. I don’t know if it’s the butter they use, or the brioche bread roll, but it’s excellent every time I order it.

Jimmy Wah’s in Burleigh Heads for any kind of dumplings, and Sticky Rice Thai Food & Bar in Tugun for the best Penang curry. When we want to mix it up, we love a surf club meal. The Coolangatta Surf Club for a chicken schnitzel with vegies and mash for an extra $2.50 I don’t mind paying – and always with mushroom gravy.

For a high tea or delicious brunch, I go with Mum to The Langham Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise – it’s fancy. And when I am craving live music, it’s Miami Marketta in Miami – on a Wednesday night they have drag bingo, and an awesome reggae/country band played there the other night.

Favourite places to dine in Australia

My go-to whenever I am away for work is Chin Chin in Sydney and Melbourne. I am obsessed. The duck fried rice, duck pancakes, a massaman curry and a Cosmopolitan cocktail every time.

In Sydney

I love a Nutella ciambella from Bertoni [in Balmain]. They put the ciambella (Italian breakfast cake) in the sandwich press, which is delicious − it’s diabetes-in-the-mouth goodness.

When I was filming the Netflix series Wellmania in Sydney a few years ago, I stayed at the Adina Apartments [in Surry Hills] and would eat breakfast at bills.

Four Ate Five on Crown Street is where I head for a big breakfast. I order soy and linseed toast, a boiled egg, Vegemite, halloumi and avocado, and split it with my best friend.

In Melbourne

It’s always St Ali [in South Melbourne]. We saw one of the Jonas brothers when I was there last.

I recently went to Pepe’s Italian and Liquor in the city for my friend’s 40th − and that place is a vibe.

On the road

My favourite food city

I love New York, and one of the best meals my husband and I ever had was at The New York Knicks Suite at a basketball match. I ate the best lamb chops with miso paste – the best in the world. If you think it’s full of elite athletes and celebrities eating a shitty meat pie, you’re wrong – the food is amazing.

When I am on the run, it’s a boiled egg from Starbucks. Otherwise, I am grabbing anything on the go – a pizza slice or a bagel with lox and cream cheese. A friend of mine owns Mulberry Street Bar in SoHo which is a hole-in-the-wall and has great cocktails and atmosphere.

I always stay at the Soho Grand Hotel in New York because I love being in SoHo and around Greenwich. My favourite thing to do when in America is visit Shake Shack. I love a burger and small fries, and a vanilla malt-shake.

When in Los Angeles

Tatsu Ramen in West Hollywood is delicious; you must order the tagliatelle Bolognese at Toscana, an Italian restaurant in Brentwood. Downstairs at The Maybourne hotel in Beverly Hills is where you find the Maru Espresso Bar, which has the most insane cream-top coffee. I don’t stand in line for anyone but I do for this coffee.