Crossword Genius

Gourmet cooked pie to preserve (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

epicure

'gourmet' is the definition.
(I know that gourmet can be written as epicure)

'cooked pie to preserve' is the wordplay.
'cooked' indicates anagramming the letters (letters cooked into a new form).
'to preserve' becomes 'cure' (curing is a kind of preserving).
'pie' is an anagram of 'epi'.
'epi'+'cure'='EPICURE'

(Other definitions for epicure that I've seen before include "Liker of fine food/drink" , "I eat well" , "A faddist in food and drink" , "Lover of fine eating" , "Person with fastidious tase in food and wine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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