Party served up meal - shelled bug a high point (7)

I believe the answer is:

plateau

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'a high point' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'party served up meal shelled bug' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'alp' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'served up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'meal' becomes 'tea' (tea is a kind of meal).
'shelled' indicates the central letters (the outer letters or shell are removed).
The middle letter of 'bug' is 'u'.
'alp' written backwards gives 'pla'.
'pla'+'tea'+'u'='PLATEAU'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plateau that I've seen before include "Reach a level" , "High plain" , "one has no inclination" , "relatively flat territory" , "Flat raised land" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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