Natalie Tran Interview: Rice Cookers, Bake Off, and Bird Feuds 2026

Natalie Tran, the beloved comedian and actor, opens up in this exclusive interview about her rice cooker advocacy, behind-the-scenes secrets from The Great Australian Bake Off, and her unexpected run-in with a neighborhood bird. Known for her witty online presence, Tran doesn't hold back on her strong opinions and hilarious anecdotes.

Rice Cooker: A Non-Negotiable Kitchen Essential

When asked about her previous statement that it should be illegal not to own a rice cooker, Tran doubles down: "Yes, 100%. Jail time. No questions asked." She explains that watching people cook rice in a saucepan is mind-blowing to her. "It’s so easy," she says, referring to the rice cooker's convenience.

However, the interviewer admits to not owning a rice cooker, leading to a moment of pained silence from Tran. "But your life could be so much easier. I don’t understand why you live like that," she quips, highlighting her passion for the appliance.

Why Rice Cookers Are Superior

• Perfectly cooked rice every time without constant monitoring
• Frees up stovetop space for other dishes
• Easy to clean with non-stick inner pots
• Can also steam vegetables and make porridge

The Great Australian Bake Off: Cake Secrets Revealed

Tran, a host on the show, spills the beans on how much cake the hosts actually get to eat. "We are told to leave the cakes alone until after the judging has happened," she reveals. But once judging is over, there's no cap on consumption. "Sometimes we are told, 'Hey, I know you want to eat that, but don’t!'" she adds, laughing.

The bakers often make extras for the hosts, which Tran describes as being "like little birds in the wild. Trash birds." She explains that they leave cut-offs on the side of the bench, and the hosts swipe them when no one's looking.

Behind-the-Scenes Comparison: Hosts vs. Judges

Bird Encounters: A Neighborhood Feud

Tran shares a bizarre story about a bird in her neighborhood that she once confronted. "I walked around the corner and I saw it standing on top of a magpie and it was screaming at the magpie and all these birds were around it," she recalls. She ran up and shouted "Oi!" to break up what she calls a "bird gang war."

But then the bird looked at her, and Tran realized her mistake. "I was like, 'Oh no, it’s gonna remember this'," she says. To deflect, she pretended to be doing something else, walking past while muttering "Oi, oi, oi" to seem casual. "Hoping that the bird would go, 'Oh, that’s just a weird human,'" she jokes.

Key Takeaways from the Interview

• Natalie Tran is a fierce advocate for rice cookers and believes they should be mandatory.
• On Bake Off, hosts get unlimited cake after judging, but must resist during filming.
• Tran's humor extends to her interactions with wildlife, making for memorable stories.

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