NEED TO KNOW
- Annabel Lloyd was eliminated from MasterChef Australia 2026 on Wednesday, July 22.
- The contestant revealed that she knows MasterChef star Declan Cleary after they applied together in a previous season.
- Annabel describes what it has been like watching Declan grow in both his career and his relationship (and family) with Sarah Todd.
The final challenge of Level Up Week was an emotional one, as Annabel Lloyd was the first contestant to be knocked from the Top 5 and judge Poh Ling Yeow passed down recipes from her family line in a moving masterclass segment.
Annabel, Casper, Petro, and Aaron were tasked with recreating three of Poh’s beautiful and delicious Malaysian snacks – Kuih Lapis, Curry Puff and Kuih Koci – and, sadly, last-woman-standing Annabel’s dish just fell short.
Speaking with WHO following her elimination, the 30-year-old Sydneysider discussed her plans for the future which includes everything from “pop-ups” with the other contestants to stepping back into her career as a nurse and helping “alleviate some of the workload” of her co-workers.
She also revealed a secret past connection with a former MasterChef star, Declan Cleary, and how reconnecting with him on the show sparked rumours she never meant to start.
Declan was Annabel’s ‘first friend on MasterChef’
Annabel explained that her comment about a potential MasterChef love story this season was an off-the-cuff comment sparked by her friendship with the new dad-of-two.
“I know Declan,” Annabel told us. “He was actually my first friend on MasterChef back when we applied together years and years and years ago.
“And so I’ve stayed in contact with him and so I was kind of just being more expressive of that [when I made that ‘love story’ comment].”
She explained that the pair met back at auditions in 2020 for season 15 and have stayed in touch ever since.
“So that sort of backstory was maybe what sparked that comment,” she suggested.
‘It was so nice watching him go through what he’s gone through’
Annabel also spoke openly about how inspiring it has been to not only watch Declan achieve success in MasterChef and his career, but also watch him meet Sarah Todd, fall in love, and start a family.
“It was so nice watching him go through what he’s gone through,” she said. “It hasn’t always been easy for him, and then he’s just coming out the other side. He’s just been in such an incredible position.
“He’s such a nice guy and he’s such a legend.
“He met the love of his life and he’s got these two beautiful daughters and it all happened through MasterChef, so [that comment on the show] was more just me expressing how beautiful that was.”
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