Gwyneth Paltrow started mixing cocktails when she was just six

Gwyneth Paltrow started mixing cocktails when she was just six years old.

The 'Iron Man 2' star – who has two children, Apple, six, and Moses, four, with her husband Chris Martin – learned about alcohol by making drinks for her father, film producer, Bruce Paltrow when she was a child.

She said: "I love a dirty martini. I used to make my dad his drinks when I was about six!"

Despite her career achievements, Gwyneth – who runs her own lifestyle website GOOP – claims appearing on a cookery programme has been the highlight of her working life because she is such a fan of food.

Speaking on UK TV show 'Market Kitchen', she said: "I really love eating. This is a highlight of my career."

Although Gwyneth – who lists her favourite foods as muffins, grilled tuna, gorgonzola and pomegranates – has been cooking "seriously" for around 15 years, she admits her children are less-than-impressed by her culinary creations.

She said: "They're quite picky."

The 37-year-old actress used to follow a strict macrobiotic diet but now allows herself to indulge in some of her favourite calorific treats.

She said recently: "I love anything fried, fish and chips, and I love Branston pickle and I love red wine."