Crossword Genius

Officer and monarch useful at cookery (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

colander

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'useful at cookery' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'officer and monarch' is the wordplay.
'officer' becomes 'col' (short for colonel).
'monarch' becomes 'ER' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'col'+'and'+'er'='COLANDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for colander that I've seen before include "Bowl-shaped strainer" , "found in the kitchen" , "Boiled 20 Down may be strained through this" , "Utensil for draining vegetables" , "Old crane (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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