She studied at Scarisbrick Hall School and then read law at Liverpool John Moores University,[9] where she met her future husband, Zoltán Katona.

In 2008, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport appointed her as a trustee of National Museums Liverpool where she sat on the full board, along with audit and marketing.

On 14 February 2021, a 10-part culinary travel series presented by Katona called A Taste of Italy was premiered on Channel 4 and More 4.

In the six-part series, she trained her celebrity partner, Harry Judd, in preparing dishes which were then judged.

[16] On 10 August 2021, Katona appeared as a guest chef on BBC 1's Masterchef, challenging four celebrities to cook an Indian recipe from her menu.

[17] From 2021 - 2024, Katona was be one of the members of the new judging panel of Great British Menu, joining the former champion Tom Kerridge and the comedian and food podcaster Ed Gamble.