The Fish Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary Can’t Get Enough Of

Australia’s food culture is built on a tapestry of global influences, but at its heart, it’s also about connecting with ingredients that are truly local. Few capture that spirit quite like barramundi.

As part of the National Barramundi Day celebrations on Friday October 17, celebrity chefs and former Masterchef contestants Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary – who are also partners outside the kitchen – are hosting a pop-up called Barra Love Shack in Bondi. The duo will be serving up some of their favourite barramundi dishes.

“Barramundi feels like the people’s fish,” says Todd. “It’s uniquely Aussie in the sense that it’s tied to both our culture and our environment. You’ll find it everywhere from backyard barbeques to fine-dining restaurants. It connects us back to Indigenous food culture too, where barra has been an important source of nourishment for thousands of years. That’s what makes it so special to Australians.”

Naturally, the culinary couple enjoy eating barramundi themselves, describing the fish as balanced, meaty and clean. But beyond being a delicious staple, Cleary wants people to see how approachable it is for home cooks.

“It’s an easy fish to cook but, like all good things, you need to respect it,” he says. “Get your pan nice and hot if you’re going for crispy skin, and be patient – let that skin do its thing without moving it around too much. Also, season generously. Barra loves a good hit of salt and acidity to bring out its flavour.”

Cleary also loves steaming barramundi with aromatics like ginger, soy and spring onion. But for Todd, the white-fleshed fish is best when it’s taking all the attention, cooked respectfully and served simply. “We love it pan-roasted with the skin crisped right up and served with something fresh and zingy like a salsa verde, finger lime, or even just a squeeze of lemon,” she says.

While both chefs are passionate about encouraging Australians to cook more barramundi at home, they’re equally excited to be serving it themselves. At the couple’s Barra Love Shack pop-up, Bondi locals and visitors will have the chance to taste some barramundi dishes cooked by the ex- Masterchef duo, with plenty of cooking tips and recipes to take home, too.

“At its heart, our pop-up is a celebration of barramundi as the Australian fish,” Todd says. “It represents our culture, our landscape, and our sense of home. Expect great food, music, and that feeling of being by the coast with friends – eating something that feels both familiar and exciting.”

Catch Declan Cleary and Sarah Todd at the Barra Love Shack pop-up from 1pm to 4pm on Friday October 17 at North Bondi Surf Club, Bondi Beach.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association.