Nathale Thaipun (born 1995–1996) is an Australian television cook and barrista. She is the winner of MasterChef Australia series 16 in 2024.[1]
Nat Thaipun | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nathale Thaipun 1995–1996 |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, television cook, barista |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Known for | Winning MasterChef Australia |
| Predecessor | Brent Draper |
| Website | www |
Early life
editNathale Thaipun was born in 1995–1996 to Thai-born parents and raised in country Victoria.[2] She attended Geelong Grammar School where she was the Athletics Captain.[3] Her parents Han and Nutsiree were restaurateurs so she was exposed to the world of cooking from an early age. When her parents were running the restaurant, she and her two brothers learned to cook for themselves.[4]
Personal life
editThaipun participates in high energy sports including snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing and skydiving. She is known for having over 90 tattoos on her body, which connect with her Thai heritage and the places she has visited.[4][5]
Career
editThaipun held a variety of positions since leaving school, including barrista, business manager and Greenpeace fundraiser.[6]
In 2019, while working in Wanaka, New Zealand, Thaipun and her business partner developed Wanakup,[7] a reusable coffee cup which was provided through cafes on a "borrow, buy, return" system.[8] The cup, which replaced over 450,000 single-use cups in two years, won a Local Initiative Award.[9]
Thaipun has gained restaurant work experience with Jamie Oliver, Claire Smyth and Vue de Monde.[10]
MasterChef
editThaipun entered the 16th series of Masterchef Australia in 2024. In the first week of competition, she earned the series only "immunity pin" (to avoid a subsequent elimination) and one week's work experience with Jamie Oliver in London.[10] During the program's visit to Hong Kong, she received a job offer from chef Vicky Cheng.[11]
On 16 July, Thaipun won the grand finale, defeating Tasmanian butcher Josh Perry 71 points to 68.[1][12] She received prize money of $250,000 and a residency at Alumni Restaurant in Crown Melbourne.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b "Nat Thaipun Wins MasterChef Australia 2024". 10 play. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ "Nat Thaipun | MasterChef". 10 play. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ ggsathleticscarnival (2012-09-23). "Geelong Grammar School". ggsathleticscarnival. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ a b Koster, Alexandra. "MasterChef's Nat On The Struggle Of Never Fitting In As A Thai-Australian Woman". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "The Flying Dutchman - Tattoo shop - Naters | BestLocal.ch". bestlocal.ch. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "Nathale Thaipun". signalhire.com. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "BWPK LIMITED". opencorporates.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Harker, Maddy (24 July 2021). "Wanakup on the up and up". wanakaapp.nz. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "Wanaka Sun I Edition 1038 I 5th - 11th August 2021 by Wanaka Sun - Issuu". issuu.com. 2021-08-04. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ a b Perry, Kevin (17 July 2024). "Nat Thaipun Wins Masterchef Australia 2024 Grand Prize". tvblackbox.com.au.
- ^ "MasterChef Australia star unrecognisable in throwback snap". Yahoo Life. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "MasterChef 2024 winner announced following dramatic finale: 'Deserved win'". Yahoo Life. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Milligan, Bec; Malifa, Jayde (2024-07-16). "The 2024 MasterChef Australia winner has been crowned". The Australian Women's Weekly. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "Nat Thaipun at ALUMNI Restaurant". Crown Melbourne. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
External links
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