Crossword Genius

Spooner’s requirement held aloft, reflecting needs (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ladle

'spooner's requirement' is the definition.
(a ladle might be used to spoon food)

'held aloft reflecting needs' is the wordplay.
'needs' indicates a hidden word.
'reflecting' is a reversal indicator.
'eldal' can be found hidden inside 'held aloft'.
'eldal' back-to-front is 'LADLE'.

(Other definitions for ladle that I've seen before include "Big spoon" , "Soup-server" , "Long-handled spoon for moving liquids" , "Deep-bowled spoon" , "It's used to serve soup" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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