Dumpling cook lost a coaching opportunity (7)

I believe the answer is:

gnocchi

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'dumpling' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Italian dumpling ' mean 'gnocchi' so perhaps 'dumpling' could also mean 'gnocchi')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gnocchi that I've seen before include "Small Italian dumplings similar to pasta" , "Small dumplings used like pasta" , "Dumpling dish" , "Starchy food" , "2 [PASTA]" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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