Historic food platter for one digging in (8)

I believe the answer is:

trencher

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'historic food platter' is the definition.
'trencher' can be an answer for 'platter' (term for a platter). I am not sure about the 'historic food' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for trencher that I've seen before include "field worker" , "bearer of food" , "one at digs?" , "Plate" , "Don cap" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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