Cook, perhaps, better back at home (7)
I believe the answer is:
captain
'cook perhaps' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'better back at home' is the wordplay.
'better' becomes 'cap' (both can mean to beat somebody else's attempt).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'home' becomes 'in' ('he's home' can mean 'he's in').
'at' in reverse letter order is 'ta'.
'cap'+'ta'+'in'='CAPTAIN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for captain that I've seen before include "US policeman" , "One traditionally goes down with a sinking ship" , "Naval rank" , "soldier" , "Army rank" .)