Buffet food may be covered with it (6)
I believe the answer is:
batter
'buffet' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for batter that I've seen before include "Hit hard and often, subject to repeated violence" , "Flour and egg coating" , "Pasty liquid - paste" , "Mixture of flour, eggs and milk, used in cooking" , "Pummel" .)