Queenscliff’s Declan Cleary returns to the reality cooking show with his eyes on the prize!
Declan Cleary nabbed third prize on MasterChef Australia season 15 in 2023, and says it was a ‘no-brainer’ when he was invited to join other former contestants to have another shot at the title in MasterChef Australia Back To Win 2025.
While seafood is still his speciality, Declan has been working hard in the last two years to expand his repertoire and push his creativity and he’s now ready to show the judges more depth.
“I’ve definitely come back to win,” Declan, 27, says. “I’ve left my whole life behind to go down to Melbourne to immerse myself in the competition. I’ve really been sharpening my skills the last two years.”
Declan, a carpenter by trade, has been busy since 2023 working at Josh Nyland’s Fish Butchery in Waterloo, doing pop up events as ambassador for Lee Kum Kee (asian sauces), as well as working his job in construction.
He has his eye on the prize this time despite the calibre of other former contestants who are competing, like Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad who have both been runners-up in previous seasons and run popular restaurants.
“It’s a bit intimidating competing with people that were on the show 17 years ago who’ve got multiple restaurants,” Declan says. “There are always going to be people at the top of their game, but I feel like I’m at the top of my game now.”
Born and bred in Freshwater, Declan spent a lot of time fishing at South ‘Curly’ or at Narrabeen Lake, and he caught many a fish on family holidays in Kiama.
“I’ve definitely got my secret spots at Narrabeen Lake where I catch beautiful whiting and flathead,” says Declan. “And I was lucky enough to grow up with a house in Kiama. I spent every weekend in a tinny catching fish, coming back in and having my grandad fillet it all. That became a part of my life.”
Luckily Declan’s initial audition for season 15 was a mystery box containing snapper, from which he created a macadamia nut and herb-crusted snapper dish with green apple salsa. It got him through to the next stage.
Cooking up a storm in the MasterChef kitchen
Declan has many fish to fry!
“So that was quite an advantage to have coming into the MasterChef kitchen and my skills and knowledge of seafood really shone through.”
A career in food was inevitable for Declan; as soon as he was 14 years and nine months old, he joined Maccas, a rite of passage for many Beaches teenagers. He ran Robertos pizzeria in Allambie and Beco coffee shops in Allambie, Newport, Mona vale and Avalon.
As for the best place on the Beaches to buy seafood, Declan says you can’t go past Oceania Traders in Avalon, which is run by his brother Max. Declan worked with the business to create its cooked food menu when they opened about seven years ago.
Family run business Samjon Seafood at Warringah Mall is another of his favourites.
Declan is working on his first cookbook and would love to open a bistro or ‘fistro’ on the Northern Beaches at some point, saying you currently have to travel ‘over the bridge’ for that kind of food.
In the meantime, you can watch Declan create delicious meals on MasterChef Australia Back To Win 2025 on Channel 10 and 10Play.