EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary spill on love and life after reality TV.

MasterChef’s Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary recently announced they’re expecting their first child together. Photos: Instagram/sarahtodd

Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary have been quite busy since they finished filming MasterChef Australia earlier this year. Not only did they go public with their relationship and move in together in Melbourne, but they also recently announced that they’re expecting their first child together.

On top of that, the couple have begun working together in a professional sense, collaborating on campaigns with various brands such as Barramundi Australia by hosting pop-up cooking events. Sarah, 37, and Declan, 27, tell Yahoo Lifestyle that it’s “wild” how much they’ve packed into the last 12 months, and their lives have “definitely changed in all the best ways possible”.

“It’s just been really beautiful. I feel like we’ve really managed to squeeze a lot into the year, and we’ve been doing a lot of work milestones and a lot of personal ones as well, and being able to travel the world together,” Sarah says.

“It’s been nice just kind of getting to bring our two worlds together.”

The pair add that it’s been “so lovely” seeing such a positive response from fans to their relationship and pregnancy news.

“It’s just such a beautiful time in our lives, and we’re grateful that everyone’s so interested in it,” Declan shares.

“I’m only new to being in the spotlight for a few years now, so it’s just really interesting how everyone’s so interested. It’s nice to be able to share everything in such a positive way.”

‘It’s just such a beautiful time in our lives.’ Photos: Instagram/declancleary

How their love story began

Reflecting on how their love story began in the MasterChef kitchen, Sarah admits that their friendship is what helped them both stay calm in the typically stressful environment.

“I think sometimes the pressure can build up so much that it can be a detriment rather than a help, and I think for us, it was a really nice little sanctuary to get out of the kitchen and be able to have each other, whether it was doing a bit of a workout at lunchtime or just putting on a random series and watching something like The White Lotus to calm our minds,” Sarah recalls.

“It was really nice, and I think that’s what was really special, that we were able to cook in the kitchen and have our own unique styles in the kitchen, which never really crosses over.”

Sarah says she’s a big believer in everything happening for a reason, and she’ll forever be grateful that she decided to return to the reality show for a third time.

“I was really busy at that point in my career outside of the MasterChef kitchen, but it’s kind of a very strange thing that every time I’ve walked into the kitchen, something really beautiful has come of it,” she remarks.

“There’s no way I could have expected this kind of life-changing sort of course after the show.”

The couple found love while filming this year’s season of MasterChef. Photos: Instagram/declancleary

‘Really special’

To celebrate National Barramundi Day, Sarah and Declan have created a series of recipes which they’ll be showcasing at a Barra Love Shack pop-up at Bondi Beach on Friday, October 17.

“We’re super excited that we’re working together on a campaign that aligns with us both, and we’ll be slinging out Barramundi tacos that will have a hint of Sarah’s seafood masala on it, so that’s really special,” Declan details.

“Bondi is iconically Australian, barramundi is iconically Australian, and then I guess Sarah and I have both become quite iconic Australian icons.”

The couple are celebrating National Barramundi Day with a pop-up at Bondi Beach on Friday, October 17. Photo: Supplied

Future plans

The couple tease that the project is one of many they plan on working on together in the future, and they’ll always be “helping each other out”.

“I think that’s the special thing about having a partner who’s not only your partner, but your best friend, and we can work together, we can live together, we can travel together,” Declan gushes.

“So I definitely think the opportunities are endless for what’s to come in the future.”