Age: 27

State: New South Wales 

Instagram: @declancleary

Previous season & place: Season 15, placed 3rd

Northern Beaches favourite Declan Cleary is Back To Win. Still full of his trademark cheeky charm and wearing his heart on his sleeve, Declan has matured as both a man and cook and has a renewed drive to go all the way to claim the title of MasterChef Australia 2025.

Declan’s world has changed since his last incarnation in the kitchen, where he finished third. Though still running his building business, Declan has structured his workload to allow a huge focus on his long-term goal of working in food full time.

Fish is still Declan’s game, and while his love of seafood will be front and centre, especially after having spent time in his hero Josh Niland’s kitchen since season 15, Declan has focussed on expanding his repertoire to prove he’s no one trick pony.

His work as a brand ambassador has broadened his horizons and seen him travel internationally, presenting and running cooking demonstrations, and creating online content.

This time around, Declan hopes to push his creativity, itching to flex that part of his brain again. Expect South East Asian flavours he is known for, but also a ramped up dessert game for Back To Win. Declan’s mental fortitude is strong for the battle ahead, and he will be super competitive, right from the starter’s gun.

As the competition’s youngest contestant, Declan will use his energy to his advantage, soaking up knowledge from the group and being nimble in the kitchen.

Declan’s dream remains to one day open his own farm-to-fork style bistro in Northern New South Wales, a venue where he could showcase the best that local producers have to offer, across both land to sea.

With his growth mindset perhaps the most important tool in his kit, Declan’s commitment to starting each day determined to be the best version of himself will serve him well as he comes Back To Win.