Real Estate | @recipe_tin via Instagram
Since home cook and author Nagi Maehashi founded her food blog RecipeTin Eats in 2014, it has become one of Australia’s most trusted destinations for reliable, tasty meals that can be whipped up using simple, everyday ingredients. Her first book, RecipeTin Eats: Dinner, published in 2022, was an instant hit, breaking records and making the New York Times best sellers list.
It’s unquestionable, she’s a homegrown success story. And it seems like that success translates not just to delicious meals on the plate or even to millions of devoted followers online, but to the property market, too. In March 2024, Nagi reportedly snapped up a Victorian-era home in Sydney’s Hunters Hill for $7 million. The property was sold off-market by BresicWhitney.
Then she backflipped on the sale, relisting it with McGrath’s Tracey Dixon. Nagi remained tight-lipped on why she was selling the home again so soon, but Tracey told SMH that it was because Nagi’s simply too busy with exciting new career opportunities and projects on the horizon.
Yet by the end of October 2024, it was reported that Nagi had scrapped plans to sell altogether. Instead, the cookbook author was embarking on an almost $1 million renovation, with $950k plans for the picturesque sandstone house. It will involve a rework of the rear of the house and a new garage space, with designs by Cradle Design.
The news comes as Nagi’s second cookbook, Tonight: Dinners for every night of the week which is currently available to buy at Big W, is flying off the shelves.
About the property
‘Daybreak’, as the property is known, was built in c1883 and last sold in 2019 for $4.75 million.
Real estate listings show that the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home is set on a 1550sqm block with a wrap-around sandstone verandah, a large swimming pool and an expansive, park-like garden.
Gazing upon the home’s romantic symmetrical facade, it’s clear that it was built according to the Victorian Gothic style, which favours ornate lace detailing, steeply pitched roofs, dormer windows and ornamental finials.
According to The Heritage of Hunters Hills Green Book, Daybreak was originally built for the Lenehan family, who called the property home until 1920.
Prior to starting RecipeTin Eats, Nagi worked in corporate finance, a career she enjoyed but wasn’t particularly passionate about. It wasn’t long before the self-taught cook gave up her day job and put her life savings into pursuing something she really loved: cooking. In her website’s bio, she says her biggest inspiration was her upbringing.
“Growing up, budget was tight and even though my mother worked full time, we dined like royalty because she was so creative in the kitchen. And this is why I know it’s possible to make great, fresh food even if you’re short on time and on a budget.” Nagi’s humble beginnings and love of food saw her found not-for-profit RecipeTin Meals in 2021, which produces up to 100,000 meals annually for Sydneysiders in need.
