MasterChef stars Annabel Lloyd and Vinnie Gibaldi spark romance rumours after fans spot telling clue

MasterChef fans are convinced contestants Annabel Lloyd and Vinnie Gibaldi are secretly dating after a series of clues both on and off screen sparked widespread speculation online.

While neither contestant has addressed the rumours, viewers believe they've pieced together evidence suggesting the pair's friendship could have turned into something more.

The latest wave of speculation was sparked during Sunday's episode when former contestants Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary returned to the kitchen with their newborn twin daughters, Charlotte and Claudia.

Reflecting on the couple's love story, which blossomed after they met during MasterChef's Back To Win season, Annabel couldn't hide her excitement.

'This is wild that they both were on Back To Win and met and fell in love and have twins. Like that is the cutest thing, that's the most beautiful story I've ever heard in my life,' she said.

But it was her follow-up remark that immediately caught viewers' attention.

'Is there anyone in our comp that could be future Sarah and Declan? I'm not allowed to say,' she continued. 

The cryptic comment was enough to send fans searching for clues, with many quickly settling on fellow contestant Vinnie as the mystery person.

Social media detectives soon highlighted what they believe is one of the biggest giveaways, with Annabel and Vinnie repeatedly spotted throughout the season wearing matching necklaces featuring tiny red chilli charms.

'Since the beginning I thought Annabel and Vinnie had something going on, especially since they were both wearing a little red chilli pepper on a chain,' one fan wrote on Facebook.

Others pointed out the pair frequently appear together in behind-the-scenes photos shared to Instagram during filming, further fuelling the romance rumours.

Viewers have also noted the pair have plenty in common outside the kitchen, with both working as nurses.

Despite the mounting speculation, neither Annabel nor Vinnie has confirmed they are in a relationship.

If the rumours prove true, they would become just the third couple to find love through MasterChef Australia.

Sarah and Declan's relationship has become one of the franchise's biggest success stories after they fell in love during the 2024 Back To Win season before welcoming twin daughters on Christmas Eve last year. 

The fan favourites met while filming MasterChef: Back to Win in 2024 and went public with their romance early in 2025.

Queenslander Sarah, who is already mum to son Phoenix, 14, moved to Melbourne to be with Declan after their whirlwind romance.

Sarah shares son Phoenix with ex-fiancé Devinder Garcha. 

Before them, season one's Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins also found romance after filming wrapped.

The couple married in 2013 and remain together.