Piff the Magic Dragon der Put credits Fay Presto for enabling him to become a professional magician. Jobs included restaurant close-up performances for tables of diners; cruise ship work; and corporate work including "product launches, PR stunts, tradeshows and internal presentations" for global companies. In 2008, he created the stage persona of Piff the Magic Dragon (a spoof of Puff, the Magic Dragon), dressing in a green, red and yellow dragon costume, with self-deprecating humour and deadpan delivery. He is assisted by "Mr. Piffles", a chihuahua in a matching dragon costume. The character was created by happenstance, when van der Put was the only
Piff the Magic Dragon as Piff the Magic Dragon at The Flamingo's Bugsy's Cabaret venue. He is assisted by showgirl Jade Simone, and "Francis the Squire". Van der Put has been magic consultant to Penn and Teller, Heston Blumenthal and his restaurant "the Fat Duck", and company Theatre-Rites for their production "Mojo", which played at The Barbican Theatre, the Salzburg Festival, and New York's New Victory Theatre. Van der Put won the 2008 British Ring "Close-up Magician of the Year", while The Magic Circle awarded him their 2011 "Close-up Magician of the Year", 2012 "Stage Magician of the Year" (as Piff), and 2013 "Carlton