They were supposed to compete against one another, but instead they found love.

declan cleary relationship sarah todd masterchef

When they walked into the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary expected a heated cook-off, but they never expected to find love.

While they were supposed to be competitors on the Back to Win season, Declan confessed they hit it off immediately.
declan clearly sarah todd embrace relationship masterchef 2025(Credit: Instagram)
“Nothing was ever rushed or forced – we just enjoyed spending time together,” Declan, 27, revealed in an interview with Stellar magazine.

Despite their obvious chemistry, Declan didn’t ask Sarah, 38, on a date until she was walking into the elimination challenge.

“As she’s walking into the elimination [challenge], I said, ‘Sarah, can I ask you something? Would you like to go on a date with me?’,” he recalled. “And she just looked at me and said, ‘You’re a bloody idiot’.”

After the shock of his question passed, Sarah realised they “made sense. “
masterchef contestants sarah todd declan cleary romance back to win(Credit: Instagram)
Both chefs unfortunately didn’t win the 2025 season. Sarah’s elimination episode aired on Ten at the end of July, with Declan sharing a touching tribute to her journey.

“You were by far the bravest, most creative and resilient chef in that kitchen in my eyes. I never stood a chance against you,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Despite the undercurrents, the constant second guessing, the moments that felt more like quiet resistance than support, you held your head high.

“Thanks for being my best friend in and outside of that kitchen. We have so much fun together and you make my heart so full. You are a true inspiration not only to all the home cooks out there but to the chefs around the world that would gain knowledge and vision from your wonderful masterpieces.

“Love you lots,” he concluded.
sarah todd son declan cleary (Credit: Instagram)
Following her elimination, Sarah shared her own message, sharing that meeting Declan was a “huge win.”

“Sometimes the universe brings someone into your life at exactly the right moment, and I’m so grateful that this journey led me not only to my spirit in the kitchen, but to a love I never saw coming,” she wrote on Instagram.

Sarah and Declan’s relationship away from cameras continues to blossom, and they are now living together in Melbourne, sharing a home with Sarah’s 14-year-old son Phoenix and Declans’s dog, Sol.

“We’re one big family now,” Sarah told TV WEEK.