Kimberley Crossman’s a dud in the kitchen, but Snack Masters cooked up the love of her life

Sunday, 19 May 2024

It's not an admission you necessarily expect from the presenter of a TV show about food.

I ask Kimberley Crossman whether she's a foodie and the Snack Masters co-host laughs heartily: “I am a huge… consumer of food, especially sweets and snacks … but I can't cook to save myself!” The proof is in the pudding - she says she's given everyone in her life food poisoning, but it's not all her fault. “I come from a heat and eat family.”

The actor and presenter might not take pleasure in cooking, but she's a huge fan of dining out, it's a passion she's developed alongside her career. 'When I first started on Shortland Street [she played teen Sophie McKay on the soap from 2007 - 2011] and had some disposable income, I loved spending my money trying new foods that we didn't eat as a family… and that experience of eating at restaurants.'

Her lack of kitchen know-how has given Crossman, who lives between Auckland and LA, a true appreciation of others’ culinary nous. 'You could just make me toast, that's a love language to me, feeding me is the key to my heart.'

She's just as easy to impress on the set of the family-friendly TV show which sees professional chefs competitively recreating famous snack or fast food items. 'From a geeking out perspective, seeing how the chefs crack the science of it right in front of my face is fantastic.'

The show, which she co-hosts with comedian Tom Sainsbury, indulges her love of eating, but also introduced another great love into her life. Late last month Crossman married Tom Walsh - the pair met last year on set of the first season of Snack Masters, where Walsh was director of photography.

'I think for both Tom and I, it was this perfect way to meet someone. Doing what you love at the highest level and kind of falling for someone because of their work ethic and getting to see them every day. The team can attest to the fact I was showing up early and staying late, trying to get his attention.'

Crossman says her family are equally thrilled with her nuptials to Walsh, who is the son of a chef. 'They could not have been more excited about this wedding and this marriage because we now have Tom who cooks for us!' she laughs.

A big part of their love story, the show played a role in their wedding day too, the couple compiled goodie bags for guests with some of their favourite snacks from the show. 'It's always going to have a really special place in our hearts because we went through that journey together. It was kind of cool to incorporate some of my favourite snacks from Snack Masters into our wedding day… cheesy and delightful.'

Snack Masters screens Thursdays on TVNZ 2