Thai chef’s ‘roo-tiful’ flair scoops MasterChef Australia 2024

A talented Thai chef has scooped the MasterChef Australia 2024 title with her unique Aussie-Thai fusion dishes, including the viral sensation Kangaroo Larb and Scotch Egg Sausage. Her innovative culinary creations captivated both the judges and the audience.

In the grand finale of MasterChef Australia 2024, Nat Thaipan competed against her fellow contestant, Pezza, in an intense showdown. Nat’s first dish, a Scotch Egg Sausage infused with Thai flavours, earned her an impressive score of 36 points, putting her ahead of Pezza.

The dessert round further showcased the competitors’ skills, with both contestants tasked with recreating a complex dish by Michelin-starred chef Clare Smyth called Malteser, or “Core-teser.” Despite the high-pressure environment, Nat maintained her lead, ultimately scoring 71 points to Pezza’s 68 points, securing her victory.

Reflecting on her win, Nat expressed her disbelief and excitement.

“It feels amazing, this is crazy! It’s like a dream, but it’s real. I’ve just won MasterChef Australia.”

Along with the prestigious title, Nat took home a prize of US$250,000, equivalent to nearly 9 million baht.

Nat’s culinary journey on MasterChef Australia has been marked by her daring and creativity, particularly highlighted by her Kangaroo Larb dish, which received widespread acclaim from both judges and viewers. This dish, combining traditional Thai larb with Australian kangaroo meat, demonstrated her ability to blend cultures while maintaining authenticity, reported KhaoSod.

In related news, top Thai chef Chudaree Debhakam, better known as Chef Tam, reminisced about the nerve-wracking moments preceding the grand announcement at the 2024 Michelin Guide Thailand Ceremony. Chef Tam’s restaurant, Baan Tepa, clinched two Michelin stars, catapulting her into culinary stardom and making history as the first Thai female chef to achieve such a feat.

In other news, representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), government officials, media personalities, and distinguished guests converged at the Okura Prestige Bangkok hotel on April 3 for a high-profile press conference for the revelation of Chon Buri as the New City Debut for the Michelin Guide Thailand 2025 edition.