Crossword Genius

Gourmet beaten up near ice (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

epicurean

'gourmet' is the definition.
(I know that gourmet can be written as epicurean)

'beaten up near ice' is the wordplay.
'beaten' indicates an anagram (letters beaten up or destroyed).
'up'+'near'+'ice'='upnearice'
'upnearice' is an anagram of 'EPICUREAN'.

(Other definitions for epicurean that I've seen before include "expert on food" , "Given to sensual enjoyment" , "immoderate character" , "Gourmet" , "one sensuous and Greek" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app