Enjoying success, I consumed seconds for starters (9)

I believe the answer is:

initiates

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'starters' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'enjoying success i consumed seconds' is the wordplay.
'enjoying success' becomes 'in it' (I've seen this before).
'consumed' becomes 'ate' (to eat is to consume food).
'seconds' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'init'+'i'+'ate'+'s'='INITIATES'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for initiates that I've seen before include "new members" , "Introduces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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