Food knows no bounds, and for Nathale “Nat” Thaipun, an Australian-born Thai and the newly crowned winner of MasterChef Australia 2024, this sentiment has shaped her remarkable culinary journey.
The 28-year-old from Victoria took an unconventional path to victory, marked by both innovation and inspiration.
“It feels surreal,” Nat said of her win in an interview with Thai PBS World via email.
“Being accepted onto such a prestigious platform was already a pinch-me moment, but being recognised for my innovative cooking is something else entirely. For years, I never saw my cooking as innovative—I just saw it as a way to make the most out of leftover ingredients in my kitchen. I never imagined it could lead to winning MasterChef Australia!”
Raised in Australia by Thai parents who ran a restaurant where her mother, Nutsiree, was head chef, Nat’s childhood was filled with vibrant flavours and diverse cuisines.
“My parents instilled in me a deep appreciation for Thai food and its rich traditions. This dual cultural upbringing shaped my cooking style, allowing me to blend Thai flavours with Western techniques.”
“My Thai heritage is the foundation of my culinary journey, inspiring me to create fusion dishes that honour my roots while embracing new influences,” she shared.
Struggling with her identity between two cultures, Nat left Australia in 2016 to travel and discover herself.
Her passion for travel and adrenaline-fueled adventures led her to snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and skydiving.
With over 90 tattoos—80% of which were inked in New Zealand—her body art reflects her connection to her Thai heritage, Maori culture, and personal artistic expression.
Her experiences as a barista and her travels across various countries deeply impacted her culinary approach.
Living in various countries, especially in snow-covered towns with limited access to Asian ingredients, heightened her longing for Thai food.
“The towns I lived in were very transient, filled with people missing the food they grew up on,” she said.
“This longing was even more pronounced during COVID. In New Zealand, we never had a proper lockdown and could still snowboard, but everyone began missing family and home-cooked meals.”
“I started taking requests to make meals inspired by people’s families, whether it was an English breakfast, a Sunday roast, or dishes from my Thai heritage.”
“Travelling allowed me to fall in love with how food connects deeply with story and culture. I began viewing ingredients as interchangeable flavour profiles, which helped me create Thai dishes or any cuisine with local ingredients and seasonal produce.”
Nat’s journey on MasterChef Australia began with a nudge from friends in Aotearoa (New Zealand), who recognised her passion for cooking and encouraged her to apply.
Known for hosting dinner parties, accidental supper clubs, and potluck dinners, Nat’s love for feeding people set the stage for her remarkable journey on the show.
One standout moment on MasterChef was her kangaroo larb, a dish that amazed the judges and earned her the only Immunity Pin of the season, as well as a trip to London to cook alongside celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
“When the judges tasted my kangaroo larb and called me a ‘threat,’ I felt intense pressure build in my chest. I was proud to present a larb dip and win that episode, but it made me realise I needed to find a way to grow from there,” Nat recalled.
“Using kangaroo meat in Thai dishes is unconventional, but I love being thoughtful with the dishes I create,” she explained.
“I knew kangaroo would complement Thai flavours since Thailand also has game meat dishes. The soy-cured egg yolk was inspired by French tartare but with the flavour profile of salted egg, a taste I grew up with.”
“The toasted rice wafer was a nod to Khao Tung, a snack my grandma used to make with leftover rice, recreated to be more like potato crisps to complement the larb.”
The pressure of recreating dishes from renowned international chefs was immense.
“I found it very challenging, despite others thinking I was strong—I wasn’t,” Nat admitted. “I lacked pastry, pasta, and classic French cooking skills.
Recreating dishes from renowned chefs was challenging. I spent a lot of time researching, reading, and watching YouTube videos of Michelin-star kitchens to understand mise en place and how they run service.”
To cope, she relied on music, exercise, and a mindset of adaptability and creativity. “Entering each cook with no expectations and the knowledge that I can be adaptable and creative set me apart.”
For Nat, cooking is an expression of love, creativity, and resilience. “Food connects people to their roots and brings diverse cultures together,” she affirmed.
Her MasterChef journey was a profound learning experience, pushing her to explore her identity and embrace her heritage through her culinary creations.
Nat’s stunning fusion Thai dish, Sai Oua Scotch Egg and Nam Phrik Noom, exemplifies her skill in blending Thai roots with Western techniques.
“The challenge was in balancing the bold flavours of Thai cuisine with the more subtle, refined aspects of Western cooking,” she said.
“The inspiration came from my desire to showcase the best of both worlds—honouring my Thai heritage while embracing Western culinary techniques.”
Through experimentation, Nat refined her recipes to create a harmonious blend of flavours.
Beyond flavours, Nat’s dishes are known for their visual appeal. “Plating is an art form that adds another layer to the dining experience,” she said.
Inspired by nature and simplicity, she focuses on colours, textures, and shapes, ensuring each element enhances the dining experience.
Looking ahead, Nat plans a global pop-up tour, showcasing Thai fusion dishes worldwide. “I’m excited to explore and incorporate seasonal ingredients from different regions into my cooking,” she revealed.
She’s eager to delve deeper into lesser-known Thai dishes and ingredients, introducing unique flavours to a wider audience.
To her fans around the world and especially in Thailand, Nat expressed her deepest gratitude.
“Your support has been incredible and has kept me going throughout this journey. Let’s keep exploring new flavours and pushing the boundaries of what food can be, together.”
Nat’s MasterChef journey is a testament to food’s power to bridge cultures, tell stories, and connect people.
Her innovative cooking and unique style have won her a prestigious title and the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide.
As she embarks on new culinary adventures, Nat continues to inspire with her creativity and passion for food.
MasterChef Australia Season 16 airs every Monday to Friday, starting on July 23 at 7:30 PM on TrueVisions, Lifetime channel (145, 339), and the TrueVisions Now application.
By Veena Thoopkrajae with additional report by Chusri Ngamprasert
