Nat Thaipun is a once-in-a-generation talent with a passion for cooking and an innate understanding of food’s universal ability to connect people to their heritage, identity and culture. As a proud Australian-born Thai woman who grew up in a busy family of five on Melbourne’s outskirts, the winner of MasterChef Australia was inspired by the bustling streets of Thailand and the culinary traditions of her mother and late grandmother. Her cooking philosophy is rooted in the belief that food is a powerful connector, capable of bridging cultural divides and telling rich, immersive stories.
Nat’s dream has been to tell the stories of food and culture through her writing. She loves to explore the world’s cuisines and find ways to make it accessible for the home cook, particularly the food of her own Thai Australian heritage. From marginalised communities to urban food enthusiasts, Nat is passionate about making high-quality food accessible to all.
Since stepping away from television screens, Nat has trained in some of the world’s best restaurants, including St. John and Core in London, as well as undertaking pop-ups at restaurants including Icebergs and Baba’s Place in Sydney and EVETT in Seoul. She is now part of the award-winning Vue de Monde team in Melbourne. Nat is the author of the best-selling cookbook Thai: Anywhere & Everywhere, and Food and Beverage Brand Ambassador for Pullman Hotels and Resorts across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Image by David Loftus