Buttering up cook carrying coffee (8)

I believe the answer is:

flattery

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'buttering up cook carrying coffee' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'cook carrying coffee' is the wordplay.
'cook' becomes 'fry' (frying is a type of cooking).
'carrying' indicates putting letters inside.
'coffee' becomes 'latte' (type of coffee drink).
'fry' going around 'latte' is 'FLATTERY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flattery that I've seen before include "Cosying up" , "Honeyed words" , "phony praise" , "Compliments" , "Mendacious praise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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