G'day from AUSTRALIA!

LISA FAULKNER and JOHN TORODE on combining food with travel for a new series

JOHN & LISA’S FOOD TRIP DOWN UNDER SATURDAY, 11.40AM, ITV1 TRAVELOGUE

If anyone can banish the January blues, it’s culinary couple John Torode and Lisa Faulkner – especially when they’re sending us feel-good vibes all the way from sunny Oz!

‘We’re living the dream,’ beams Melbourneborn MasterChef judge John, who, with his wife, home cook and actor Lisa, has embarked on a 500mile gastronomic journey along the beautiful coastline of Western Australia for a new ITV1 series.

‘Imagine a job where you travel with your wife, get to wander around fantastic places and eat and drink – we’re so lucky.’

Starting this week, five-parter John & Lisa’s Food Trip Down Under will see the duo meet local chefs, winemakers and entrepreneurs who have found innovative ways to create produce, from black truffles to marine snails.

Here, John, 58, and Lisa, 51, give us a taste of their trip…

We’re used to watching you cook in a studio for ITV1’s John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen – this show must have made a nice change!

JOHN Honestly, being out of a kitchen and amongst nature was one of the biggest joys. To travel and go on a food adventure together was just great. We were so busy doing things and meeting people that we didn’t really have time to go into kitchens.

LISA It was nice not doing all the cooking! It was a road trip that was like being on holiday. Travelling anywhere with my husband – who happens to be my best mate – is always lovely and great fun.