{"id":515692,"date":"2026-07-08T11:10:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/515692\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:10:13","slug":"masterchef-fans-convinced-theyve-solved-secret-romance-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/515692\/","title":{"rendered":"MasterChef fans convinced they’ve solved ‘secret romance’ case"},"content":{"rendered":"

MasterChef Australia<\/a> fans have been having a lot of fun with the \u2018secret romance\u2019 rumours spreading like wildfire this year. While everyone loves a cooking show, what we\u2019ve discovered is that people love it even more when it\u2019s paired with a little love story. <\/a><\/p>\n

The rumours of a potential relationship this season were sparked by Annabel Lloyd during Declan Cleary and Sarah Todd\u2019s<\/a> guest judge appearance on the show (with their baby twins in tow!).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is wild that they both were on\u00a0Back to Win\u00a0and met and fell in love and have twins. Like that is the cutest thing, that\u2019s the most beautiful story I\u2019ve ever heard in my life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anyone in our comp that could be future Sarah and Declan? I\u2019m not allowed to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

This led fans to believe that the romance was between Annabel and Vinnie. <\/a>However, after some digging, WHO found that this wasn\u2019t the case. <\/p>\n

If anything, the debunked rumour has only put viewers on high alert for genuine sparks. And during last night\u2019s episode, eagle-eyed fans spotted what they believe is the biggest clue yet\u2026<\/p>\n

\"PetroPetro and Alyona are rumoured to be dating after Tuesday night\u2019s episode. Credit: IG\/alyona.iljuhhina <\/p>\n

\u2018Most definitely chemistry there\u2019<\/p>\n

After the top eight contestants selected a Connoisseur ice cream to start the day, they were tasked with cooking a dessert inspired by their chosen flavour. Alyona Iljuhhina tackled a rocky road-flavoured \u00e9clair, placing her head-to-head with Petro, who has built a reputation for being skilled at desserts.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, she missed the mark with the judges, leading to some classic MasterChef hugs<\/a> to console her. While hugging is commonplace in the MasterChef kitchen, there was one embrace in particular that fans \u2013 and whoever was operating that camera \u2013 chose to focus on: Petro <\/a>consoling Alyona.<\/p>\n

\"PetroPetro consoling Alyona last night started the rumours about them dating. Credit: Channel 10. <\/p>\n

\u201cDid anyone else catch the way Alyona and Petro embraced?\u201d an excited fan commented online. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think Alyona and Petro have a secret romance after seeing that hug!!\u201d another fan agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Petro got through & Alyona didn\u2019t, he put his arm around her shoulder. They were standing next to each other & got a bit touchy-feely,\u201d another fan spied. <\/p>\n

\u201cThought they were going to kiss on the last big long hug lol!\u201d a viewer chimed in, with multiple other fans agreeing that there\u2019s \u201cmost definitely chemistry there.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"PetroMasterChef fans are convinced Petro and Alyona are the \u2018secret romance\u2019 this year. Credit: Channel 10. <\/p>\n

The romance clues left by contestants on Instagram<\/p>\n

Now, we all know the contestants are a tight-knit bunch. They\u2019re constantly popping up on each other\u2019s Instagram feeds\u2014leaving us seriously jealous of all the behind-the-scenes fun and incredible food\u2014but a few specific clues suggest there\u2019s more than just friendship brewing.<\/p>\n

For starters, Annabel has been having a lot of fun teasing the audience. After her comment last week sent fans into a total tailspin, she hasn\u2019t stopped dropping hints about who the romance <\/a>could be between. And while we can officially rule out a romance between her and Vinnie\u2014since WHO understands Vinnie is already happily in a long-term relationship\u2014Annabel is definitely keeping the mystery alive.<\/p>\n

\"AnnabelAnnabel posted a picture of her and Petro on Instagram after teasing a potential romance on the show. Credit: IG\/annabellloyd_<\/p>\n

Viewers have even been commenting on her post, sharing their theories that it\u2019s \u201cPetro and Alyona after that hug\u201d, with another fan joking that \u201cif Annabelle won\u2019t tell us, then the camera operators will do the heavy lifting.\u201d <\/p>\n

Frustratingly, Alyona and Petro\u2019s comments on each other\u2019s posts don\u2019t give much away, but Alyona does follow who appears to be Petro\u2019s sister, Sophia, on Instagram, which could be a telling sign\u2026<\/p>\n

It may not be what it seems<\/p>\n

While fans are having fun speculating, others are worried it\u2019s distracting from the purpose of the show itself. What\u2019s more, Petro\u2019s social media profile lists that he\u2019s based in Melbourne, while Alyona\u2019s states she is based in Sydney. <\/p>\n

Yes, living in different cities certainly doesn\u2019t signal \u2018star-crossed lovers\u2019, and long-distance relationships are very much a thing, but it\u2019s just another factor to consider. <\/p>\n

Whether the rumours are true or fans just want them to be, either way, whoever was filming and editing that episode knew exactly what they were doing\u2026<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFreja Newman\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Freja Newman is a Digital Content Producer for WHO Magazine, writing entertainment and lifestyle content while also contributing to the publication\u2019s social media. She loves diving deep into iconic popular culture moments, as well as all the latest trends across fashion and wellness. With a degree in Media and Communications and International Relations from the University of Sydney, Freja has written and produced content for publications like Edinburgh Fringe Review and non-for-profits like UNICEF Australia. She is obsessed with storytelling in any and every form and is constantly online, earmarking the latest celebrity news, fashion trends, and film, TV and theatre releases. When it comes to social media, mini Freja\u2019s iMovie and Video Star phase prepared her well, as she\u2019s unafraid to get behind the camera and find new and exciting ways to make digital stories a success.<\/p>\n

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