The winner of MasterChef Australia 2024 has been announced after a tense battle between finalists Nat Thaipun and Josh “Pezza” Perry.
The dramatic July 16 finale saw Nat and Pezza tasked with a difficult two-round cook.
It all kicked off with an ingredient knockout challenge before wrapping things up with a pressure test set by British chef Clare Smyth — recreating her iconic “Core-teser” dessert, which is her boujee take on a Malteser.
While Nat and Pezza both scored sevens from all the participating judges in round two, Nat was one point ahead, thanks to the first round.
Finishing the cook with 71 points, the Melbourne-based barista was crowned MasterChef Australia 2024‘s winner.
Along with the illustrious title, Nat also won $250,000 and a residency at Crown Melbourne’s ALUMNI restaurant.
“I feel so good. This is crazy! It feels like a dream but it’s not, it just happened, I just won MasterChef Australia,” she expressed after taking the crown.
Meanwhile, Pezza took home $40,000, and second runner-up Savindri “Sav” Perera (who was eliminated in the previous episode) was awarded $10,000.
Fans react to Nat Thaipun’s ‘most deserved’ MasterChef Australia 2024 win
Flocking to social media, fans celebrated Nat’s MasterChef win — something many predicted back in the show’s first episode.
“Nat was always a standout from the start. Winning the immunity pin at the season-opening and then winning the competition at the end. Such a force,” one viewer confessed.
“I’m so proud of Nat! I love her creativity, her willingness to push boundaries, and her high-risk, high-reward approach,” a second penned.
A third person penned on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Oh, Nat. I’m so glad it’s you.” Us, too!
Despite the clamour for Nat’s victory, some fans couldn’t help but take a swipe at controversial contestant Pezza, whom some still couldn’t believe made it to the finale after presenting a series of lacklustre dishes throughout the season.
“Are producers bribing [the judges] to talk so highly of Pez?” one fan questioned.
“Nat is the more talented cook… Pez isn’t on her level,” another confessed.
“These two in the [grand final] is ridiculous… Nat is so naturally built as a chef and has been killing it from the get-go,” a third viewer said. “I just don’t see Pez having a career as a chef.” Ouch.
And we guess time will tell!
Congrats Nat!
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