Display slice of austere gateau on the counter (7)
I believe the answer is:
etagere
'display slice' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'of austere gateau on the counter' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'on the counter' says the letters should be written backwards (counter can mean in the opposite direction).
'eregate' is hidden within 'austere gateau'.
'eregate' backwards is 'ETAGERE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for etagere that I've seen before include "Shelved furniture item" , "Piece of furniture for displaying small ornaments" , "Furniture item with shelves" , "place for knick-knacks" , "Shelved display stand" .)