Nat Thaipun and Caleb Baldwin Farewell Australia With Four Vibey Pop-Ups

It’s been a busy two years for Nat Thaipun. After winning Masterchef 2024, the Melbourne-based chef published her debut cookbook, Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere, which was later shortlisted for a James Beard Award. 

Thaipun also completed her first ultramarathon, scored a partnership with Pullman Hotels and hosted an exclusive pop-up at Boon Choou for Broadsheet subscribers. (And told us where she goes to eat “punchy AF” Thai food in Melbourne.)

Now, Thaipun and her partner, former Attica commis chef Caleb Baldwin, are jetting off for a series of overseas book signings to launch Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere, which has been translated into Dutch and German. Along the way, they plan to stage (intern) at top restaurants in the UK, Denmark, France and Italy, not returning until August next year.

“I want to get ready to open a restaurant in a couple of years, hopefully in Melbourne,” Thaipun says. “I think it’s a really good opportunity for me to go and dive into as many restaurants as possible and learn as much as possible.”

“It’s pretty similar for me,” Baldwin says. “I’ve been at Attica for two years and want to branch out and hone my skills in some other environments and learn how restaurants run in different parts of the world.”

Before then, Baldwin is running four farewell pop-ups across Melbourne, including two with Thaipun.

First up is a cruisy walk-in event at Clifton Hill music spot Raffy’s on Sunday. Baldwin will be cooking deep-fried lamb ribs and charcoal king prawns for all comers, while DJs keep the vibes going. On October 3, he’ll host an extremely limited sit-down event at Kew sanga shop Barry’s Garage, preparing four courses featuring native ingredients, Thai spice and Barry’s signature pizza dough.

On October 8, the couple is joining forces at CBD British restaurant Reed House for a $100 set menu starring a curry pie, kangaroo larb crumpets and Thai trifle. “I grew up in the country and I do love pub food,” Thaipun says. “But I also love making Thai twists on pub classics, that kind of vibe. I did a lot of them on Masterchef.” 

Finally, on October 11, the couple will be behind the tiny bar at Brunswick East’s Bahama Gold, working with resident Da Paolo on fusion-y Thai pizzas topped with tom yum prawns and more. Food starts at 2pm and a DJ at 5pm, but Thaipun and Baldwin are likely to hang around until close.

Raffy’s x Caleb Baldwin

September 20, 5pm
Walk-ins only

Menu

Deep-fried lamb ribs, massaman sauce, curry leaves $24
Charcoal king prawns, nahm jim butter $21
Flatbread, mustard seed brown butter $12
Spring peas, radish, hung yoghurt, herb oil vinaigrette $12
Whipped cardamom ganache, blood orange, honey murcott $15

Barry’s Garage x Caleb Baldwin

October 3
Four-course set menu consisting of snacks, three shared plates, a main course, sides and dessert for $100 per person
Book here

Reed House x Nat Thaipun and Caleb Baldwin

October 8, 5pm
Book here
Four-course set menu featuring a curry pie, kangaroo larb crumpet and Thai trifle for $100 per person

Da Paolo Pizza at Bahama Gold x Nat Thaipun and Caleb Baldwin

October 11, 2pm until sold out
Walk-ins only
Thai pizzas: tom yum prawn, Thai basil Margherita and more