Marion Grasby

Marion Grasby
Marion Grasby
Born	September 29, 1982 (age 44); Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Occupation(s)	Culinary expert, television host, author, food journalist, entrepreneur
Years active	2006–present
Known for	MasterChef Australia contestant, Marion's Kitchen founder

Marion Grasby (born 29 September 1982) is a Thai-Australian culinary expert and entrepreneur in the food industry. She is recognized as a television host, author of cookbooks, and a food journalist. In 2013, she married Tim Althaus, CEO of Marion's Kitchen Group, and together they have two children.

Early life and education

Born in Darwin, Northern Territory, Grasby relocated at the age of four to Papua New Guinea, where she attended primary school before moving to Brisbane and enrolling as a boarder at Somerville House. Her background combines Thai heritage through her mother and Australian roots from her father.

Her passion for cooking was deeply influenced by her mother, Noi, a trained professional Thai chef, whom Grasby credits as the source of her culinary inspiration. Upon completing high school, she pursued studies in law and journalism at the Queensland University of Technology, graduating in 2005 with degrees in both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

Journalism career

Following graduation, Grasby worked as a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in Adelaide from 2006 until 2008. She contributed reports to various radio and digital platforms such as The World Today, AM, and ABC Rural, while also producing content for Stateline.

Culinary career

In 2008, Grasby transitioned from journalism to focus on a Master of Arts in Gastronomy at the University of Adelaide.

MasterChef Australia, Season 2

Grasby paused her postgraduate studies in 2010 to participate in the second season of MasterChef Australia, where she quickly became a fan favourite. Notable moments included winning a challenge against celebrity chef Frank Camorra from Movida and receiving praise from Heston Blumenthal as the top performer during a UK-based challenge—an accomplishment she regards as her proudest culinary moment. Though she did not win the competition, Grasby capitalized on her visibility to develop opportunities in cooking, writing, and presenting, including an exclusive contract with MasterChef Magazine.

Marion's Kitchen (food company)

Following her appearance on MasterChef in 2010, Grasby launched Marion's Kitchen, offering meal kits featuring dishes like Pad Thai, San Choy Bow, Thai curries, along with stir-fry sauces, marinades, and dressings. By 2015, products from Marion’s Kitchen were available in US grocery stores; by 2019, the company shifted to a direct-to-consumer subscription model under Marion’s Kitchen All Access USA.

In 2017, Marion’s Kitchen established a production studio in Bangkok dedicated to creating food and lifestyle video content for its brand and social media channels. A second studio was opened in Noosa, Australia in 2020.

Together with Tim Althaus, Grasby expanded their portfolio to include ventures such as CookDineHost.com, MAKO Performance Cookware, Marion’s Kitchen Media, Oriana Press, and Asoke Homewares. These enterprises focus on innovation and excellence across meal kit offerings and premium cookware.

At CookDineHost, they personally oversee product curation and design efforts aimed at exceeding industry standards for home and kitchen goods. Their approach emphasizes rigorous attention to detail to deliver superior products that meet their exacting quality criteria.

This dedication has established them as frontrunners in integrating functionality, aesthetic design, and creativity within the culinary and homeware markets.

Press and media

Grasby featured on the television programs MasterChef All-Stars and Nine Network's Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2012. The following year, she served as a representative for American Express Australia's 'Realise Your Potential' initiative.

Currently residing in Noosa, Queensland, Grasby creates and produces culinary and lifestyle videos for Marion’s Kitchen.

Books

Marion’s Thailand

The 2013 debut of Grasby's series Marion's Thailand aired on Lifestyle Food via Foxtel. This 10-episode program was shot close to her family residence in Thailand, highlighting genuine Thai cooking traditions.

Wok vs Pot

In August 2020, the three-part series Wok vs Pot was broadcast on SBS Food, featuring Grasby alongside chef Silvia Colloca. Each installment juxtaposed Grasby's Asian wok techniques with Colloca's classic Italian pot recipes, earning positive comparisons to the well-known show The Cook and the Chef.

External links