Cookery firm lamented cooking after master's departure (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
al dente
'cookery firm' is the definition.
'al dente' can be an answer for 'firm' (Italian cooking term meaning firm or hard). I am unsure of the 'cookery' bit.
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for al dente that I've seen before include "(Of pasta) firm to the bite" , "(Of pasta) firm when eaten" , "(Of cooked food) still firm when bitten" , "Of pasta or vegetables, firm when bitten" , "Of vegetables, still firm to the bite when cooked" .)