The delightful Marion Grasby opens up her kitchen

Foodies are rejoicing as MasterChef Marion Grasby favourite fires up with two cookbooks and a lifestyle channel.

Who MasterChef alumni and Thai-Australian cook and food entrepreneur, Marian Grasby.

Where Tewantin, Queensland. Favourite thing My ‘Mako’ wok is one of my essential and most loved kitchen items. That’s what happens when you grow up with an Asian mum I guess. My wok is a work of art because it’s been beautifully seasoned and layered with a patina over many, many uses Inspiration Modern with a coastal vibe. Home is It’s all about the food.

Contestant Marion Grasby from the the second season of the Channel Ten (10) TV program 'MasterChef Australia'.

MasterChef finalist Marion Grasby with Margaret Fulton's Encyclopedia Of Food And Cookery, one of her favourite things, at home in Palm Beach, northern Sydney.

After quite a lengthy hiatus from bookstands, Marion Grasby released her best-selling cookbook Always Delicious last year, and will quickly follow that up with Just As Delicious later this month. It seems this long-awaited cookbook double whammy, (it has been eight long years between published works) came about organically following the success of her Marion’s Kitchen YouTube lifestyle channel. In partnership with Panasonic, the menu for the new online episodes have included an entrée of prawn po-boy sliders, moving to a main course of hot honey chicken, and some scrumptious butterscotch self saucing pudding for dessert.

Marion Grasby in her freshly renovated kitchen

Marion’s kitchen at her home near Noosa in Queensland, which she shares with her husband Tim Althaus and their children Charlie Grace, five, and Henry, two, is where the magic happens – but it wasn’t always up to scratch. “When we first saw the house I loved the natural light and the little courtyard behind the dining nook. I wasn’t a fan of the kitchen when we moved in so we renovated it earlier this year. Now I love the open shelving and the island bench with the cooktop facing out so that I can cook and chat while entertaining. I like to work and relax in the dining nook that comes off kitchen. The light is so beautiful and I find it a calming place to work or have a coffee.”

Words: Catherine Nikas-Boulos

Chillies - a staple in Marion’s kitchen

I could not live without something spicy in my life each day. Whether it’s home-made chilli oil or fresh chillies there’s always something spicy stashed somewhere handy.

The chef spices up her wardrobe with brightly-coloured footwear

It’s not often people get a glimpse of my feet because I’m usually behind a kitchen bench but while it’s business on top it’s almost always comfy runners on the bottom. I like loud colours. The more obnoxiously fluoro the better.

This mortar and pestle is one of the most used items in Marion’s kitchen.

Next to my wok, this is a most treasured kitchen essential. I’m very particular about the weight and heft of my mortar and pestle. Thai curry pastes and spices require a heavy, granite mortar and pestle to make them really sing.

Marion’s study nook in her kitchen.

This is basically my office. When I’m not filming, I’m here reading cookbooks, thinking up more delicious things to make, meeting with my in-house studio team or zoom calling with my team in Bangkok or Melbourne.

The Panasonic rice cooker gets a work out in Marion’s Kitchen.

I always have rice cooked and ready in my kitchen or in my fridge. I feel like my Asian ancestors would come back to haunt me if I didn’t. This not only cooks rice perfectly but also keeps it warm and also has a specific setting for Thai jasmine rice, which is my go-to.

Marion’s Elke Lucas coffee cup

Being a working mum of two young kids means I practically live on caffeine and I like to have the perfect mug to drink it.

Marion starts the day right with a workout on her Peleton bike

My morning cycle is my daily exercise, meditation and penance; I eat a lot of fried chicken. It’s a rare day that you won’t find me here early morning pounding the pedals before work.

The Butler sink makes washing up almost enjoyable.

It might seem like a simple thing but I adore the butler sink I chose for the back bench in my kitchen. It makes it feel like washing up is a luxury ... almost.

Originally published as The delightful Marion Grasby opens up her kitchen