Meet a cookbook you will use again and again

If your household is anything like mine there will be dozens of cookbooks that look great but are rarely used.

Released today, Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere is likely to be an exception to that rule. It belongs in your kitchen not on a coffee table. 

It is the very smart looking new cookbook from MasterChef Australia winner Nat Thaipun, who was also recently appointed a culinary ambassador for Accor Hotels.

This is a cookbook with simple, easy-to-follow midweek recipes and more complex weekend showpieces.

I'm particularly interested in trying some of her Thai twists on classic Anglo dishes like Scotch eggs.

The book is a celebration of the chef's Thai Australian heritage and global culinary adventures, designed to help bring Thai flavours to home kitchens.

The dishes are designed to be made with readily available ingredients and are adaptable to seasonal produce wherever readers are in the world. The instructions are easy to follow. 

From barbecue ideas to one-pot wonders and decadent desserts with an Aussie twist, this really is a tome that will be used more than once or twice.

Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere is also full of practical tips on pantry essentials for Thai enthusiasts, ingredient swaps, and cooking techniques that allow readers to replicate dishes with authentic Thai flavours.

The book is enlivened by photography from award-winning photographer David Loftus, and was designed by award-winning creative director Daniel New (The Whole Fish Cookbook by Josh Niland).

Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere looks good but is also useful: an invitation to explore, experiment, and fall in love with Thai cuisine.

Thaipun has trained in some of the world’s best restaurants, including St. John and Core in London, and hosted sold-out pop-ups at restaurants including Baba’s Place in Sydney and EVETT in Seoul. She is now part of the Vue de Monde team in Melbourne.

Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere is published today by Hardie Grant Books. RRP AU$50, NZ$60.

MasterChef winner signs as a culinary ambassador

 

Nat Thaipun, chef and winner of MasterChef Australia 2024, has a new culinary partnership with luxury brand Pullman Hotels and Resorts.

Thaipun has been named as food and beverage ambassador for Pullman hotel properties in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia and will bring her talents to a series of dining experiences throughout the region.

Pullman has a portfolio of 52 hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, including Pullman Melbourne on the Park; Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport; Pullman Bangkok King Power; Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach; Pullman Singapore Hill Street; and Pullman Singapore Orchard. 

From early 2026, guests will be invited to experience pop-ups, restaurant takeovers, and a curated selection of Nat’s signature creations at Pullman addresses across the region. 

Among the highlights will be her reimagined satay skewers, featuring a macadamia satay and ash made from leek, onion or garlic skin, accompanied by pickles. 

Members of ALL Accor, the Group’s lifestyle loyalty programme, will enjoy access to behind-the-scenes encounters with the chef, from intimate chef’s table dinners to immersive cooking workshops.

“Nat Thaipun brings an inspiring mix of creativity, authenticity, and modern flair that perfectly complements Pullman’s bold approach to food and beverage,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor in the Pacific.

“Her ability to draw from her Thai heritage and international experiences to create dishes that surprise and connect aligns seamlessly with Pullman’s ethos. We are thrilled to introduce her talent to our guests across the Pacific and Asia.”

An Australian-born Thai woman, the chef grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne and is inspired by the vibrant street food of Thailand and the culinary traditions passed down by her mother and late grandmother. 

She has trained in acclaimed kitchens such as St. John and Core in London, staged pop-ups at Baba’s Place in Sydney and EVETT in Seoul, and is currently part of the award-winning Vue de Monde team in Melbourne.

She also hosts For Now, a YouTube food travel series, and her first cookbook Thai, Anywhere and Everywhere (Hardie Grant) will be released internationally this month. 

“For me, cooking has always been inspired by my curiosity. Every ingredient and every dish can tell a new story," she says. 

"It’s about evoking feelings. Partnering with Pullman gives me the perfect canvas to create something exciting in a space that reflects authentic hospitality. There’s nothing I love more than immersing myself in the food and hospitality of a region, and I can’t wait to share that joy with guests.”

For more info about Pullman Hotels & Resorts and Nat Thaipun’s culinary partnership with Pullman, see https://pullman.accor.com/en/pullman-offers/apac-nat-thaipun.html