Nat Thaipun – MasterChef Australia 2024 Winner
Early Life and Family Background
Nat Thaipun was born in either 1995 or 1996 in Victoria, Australia, into a close-knit family of Thai immigrants. Her parents, Han and Nutsiree, had migrated to Australia with a dream of building a better life while preserving the traditions and flavors of their Thai heritage. From the very beginning, Nat was surrounded by the rich culture of Thailand, even while growing up on Australian soil. Her childhood was a tapestry of language, rituals, community, and—most importantly—food.
Her parents owned and operated a traditional Thai restaurant in regional Victoria. It was there, amidst the clatter of woks, the aroma of lemongrass and kaffir lime, and the warmth of shared family meals, that Nat’s passion for cooking was born. Watching her parents manage the kitchen with care and precision taught her the importance of discipline, service, and love in food preparation. But it was her late grandmother, Purd Boonpun, who left the most lasting imprint on her culinary soul. Known for her wisdom and healing dishes, Purd’s presence in the kitchen was more spiritual than mechanical. She believed food could nurture the body and spirit alike, and she passed that philosophy on to young Nat.
Even as a child, Nat was observant and curious. She didn’t just watch her family cook; she paid attention to the why behind every flavor and method. From pounding curry pastes to folding dumplings, every action carried meaning and tradition. Her early exposure to this culinary environment planted deep roots in her identity and shaped her view of cooking as a way to connect, heal, and honor her heritage. These foundational experiences would later serve as the emotional backbone of her cooking journey, both on and off the MasterChef stage.
Education and Youth
Nat Thaipun completed her formal education at the esteemed Geelong Grammar School, one of Australia’s most prestigious academic institutions. Known for nurturing leadership and holistic development, the school played a significant role in shaping Nat’s dynamic personality. During her time there, she excelled not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities. She held the position of Athletics Captain, a testament to her active, driven, and fearless nature.
Her youth was a blend of modern Australian upbringing and deep-rooted Thai values. While her education exposed her to diverse cultures, disciplines, and competitive excellence, her home life remained closely connected to Thai customs. Her early years were marked by active participation in family gatherings, temple visits, and cultural celebrations. Food preparation often became a family affair, with Nat learning the stories behind every herb, spice, and dish that carried generational meaning.
Even as a teenager, Nat was known for being independent and expressive. She viewed food not just as sustenance, but as a form of storytelling. Her cultural duality—being both Thai and Australian—deeply influenced her perspective, helping her appreciate diversity and approach life with openness and curiosity. These experiences laid the foundation for her unique culinary voice and identity.
Personal Exploration and Global Adventures
After high school, Nat spent several years traveling and living abroad in countries such as Switzerland, Japan, and New Zealand. These years served as a period of deep self-discovery. In Wānaka, New Zealand, she co-developed “Wanakup”, an eco-friendly reusable coffee cup initiative that successfully replaced over 450,000 single-use cups over two years. Nat’s travels also fostered her love for extreme sports like snowboarding, surfing, and skydiving. Her personality and worldview are also physically represented through her body art—she has over 90 tattoos, each representing moments, beliefs, and milestones from her life.
Early Career and Work Life
Before entering MasterChef, Nat wore many hats. She worked as a barista, restaurant manager, hospitality entrepreneur, and even a Greenpeace fundraiser. Her varied experiences taught her the discipline of operations, the creativity of food service, and the importance of sustainability—values that would later define her cooking style on national television.
Entry into MasterChef Australia 2024
In 2024, Nat entered Season 16 of MasterChef Australia, which brought together a talented lineup of amateur chefs from across the country. From the beginning, she impressed the judges and viewers with her cultural storytelling, precision, and calm-under-pressure demeanor. She also brought a unique Thai-Australian identity to the screen that resonated deeply with multicultural Australia.
The Immunity Pin and Jamie Oliver
One of the most defining moments in the season was Nat winning the only immunity pin of the season. This not only granted her safety in an elimination challenge but also earned her a one-week work experience with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in London. The opportunity was both a validation of her talent and a chance to broaden her culinary perspective with one of the world’s most beloved food personalities.
Grand Finale Performance – July 16, 2024
The MasterChef 2024 finale was a nail-biting, two-round culinary battle between Nat Thaipun and Tasmanian butcher Josh “Pezza” Perry. The final challenge aired on July 16, 2024, and was split into two rounds:
Round 1: Peppercorn Challenge
Nat showcased her Thai roots with a creative twist by preparing a Sai Ua Scotch Egg, inspired by Northern Thailand’s flavors. She scored 36 out of 40 points, surpassing Josh, whose rib-eye steak with Brussels sprouts earned 33 points.
Round 2: Pressure Test
In the second challenge, both contestants attempted to recreate Chef Clare Smyth’s intricate dessert called “Core-teser.” While Nat’s version faced some minor texture issues, Josh failed to include a critical element—the malt puff. Both contestants scored 35 points in this round.
Nat’s final cumulative score was 71, edging out Josh’s 68, thereby winning the title.
MasterChef Victory and Prizes
By winning MasterChef Australia Season 16, Nat was awarded:
- 🏆 $250,000 in prize money
- 🍽️ A professional residency at the ALUMNI restaurant, located in Crown Melbourne
Her win was celebrated for its authenticity, storytelling, and her ability to represent Thai cuisine in a fresh, respectful, and modern way.
Crown Melbourne Residency
As part of her reward, Nat held a two-week culinary residency at ALUMNI in Crown Melbourne, where she created a curated dining experience featuring modern Thai dishes. Standout items from her residency included:
- A kangaroo mince scotch egg
- A cocktail inspired by Sour Patch Kids
- Elevated Thai street-style dishes reimagined for a fine-dining setting
This residency allowed her to move from TV fame to a practical restaurant environment, where she proved her skill and versatility to real diners.
Offers and Opportunities Post-MasterChef
During the competition, Nat caught the attention of international chefs. While filming in Hong Kong, she was offered a position by acclaimed chef Vicky Cheng of VEA Restaurant, further solidifying her place in the international culinary scene. She has also participated in food festivals, market pop-ups, and sustainable culinary initiatives since her victory.
Cookbook Announcement
Following her MasterChef win, Nat announced her debut cookbook titled “Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere”, set to release in October 2025. The book promises to bridge traditional Thai cuisine with an approachable, everyday cooking style. It also includes personal anecdotes, family recipes, and modern interpretations of regional Thai dishes.
Culinary Philosophy and Inspiration
Nat Thaipun’s cooking philosophy is deeply intuitive. She often cooks by taste, smell, and texture, rather than relying on precise measurements. Her food is driven by emotion, memory, and cultural storytelling. She’s been quoted as saying that her cooking is “a love letter to my heritage and identity.”
She credits Anthony Bourdain as one of her greatest inspirations—not only for his culinary exploration but for his honest, empathetic storytelling that brought global attention to lesser-known cuisines and cultures.
Personality and Public Perception
Nat is known for her authenticity, humility, and creativity. Her tattoos, unfiltered personality, and genuine joy for cooking have made her a role model, especially among younger generations and those from diverse backgrounds. She stands as a symbol of modern Australian identity—bold, inclusive, sustainable, and globally rooted.
Future Plans
In interviews, Nat has expressed interest in:
- Launching her own restaurant or food studio
- Creating a hospitality incubator space to mentor rising chefs
- Partnering with sustainability initiatives and local farms
- Continuing community work and food education for marginalized groups
Despite her fame, she remains grounded, frequently appearing at small markets and pop-ups in Melbourne, cooking the food she loves for the people
JOURNEY
Nat Thaipun – A Culinary Voice Beyond MasterChef
Nat Thaipun is more than just the celebrated winner of MasterChef Australia 2024—she is a rising culinary force whose journey embodies passion, purpose, and cultural pride. Blending her Thai roots with her Australian upbringing, Nat has emerged as a new kind of food icon—one who doesn’t just cook, but tells stories, preserves traditions, and sparks conversations through her plates.
At the heart of Nat’s success is her ability to cook intuitively. Rather than relying strictly on recipes or measurements, she embraces flavor, emotion, and memory as her guiding tools. Her cooking reflects a deep respect for her heritage while embracing bold, creative twists. It’s this fusion of tradition and innovation that captured the hearts of viewers and judges alike during her time on MasterChef.
But Nat’s influence reaches far beyond the television screen. She is a committed advocate for sustainability, having co-founded the “Wanakup” initiative in New Zealand to reduce single-use coffee cup waste. She is also passionate about mental health, cultural representation, and inclusivity, using food as a medium to address issues that matter in today’s world.
What sets Nat apart is her unapologetic authenticity. Her tattoos, adventurous spirit, and humble outlook show a woman unafraid to be herself. She’s not just creating meals—she’s crafting experiences that connect people, evoke memories, and foster understanding.
In an era where food culture often bends to trends and spectacle, Nat Thaipun is redefining what it means to be a chef. Her voice—grounded, honest, and culturally rich—represents the future of global cuisine. With plans for a cookbook, restaurant ventures, and community-based projects, Nat’s journey is only beginning. She stands as proof that identity, intuition, and storytelling can triumph in the high-pressure world of professional cooking—and leave a lasting legacy.