Needleworker brings in cook’s last item used to prepare food (6)
I believe the answer is:
skewer
'item used to prepare food' is the definition.
(item which bits of food are placed on)
'needleworker brings in cook's last' is the wordplay.
'needleworker' becomes 'sewer' (sewer is a kind of needleworker).
'brings in' indicates putting letters inside.
'last' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'cook' is 'k'.
'sewer' enclosing 'k' is 'SKEWER'.
(Other definitions for skewer that I've seen before include "barbecue implement?" , "Pin for roasts" , "Pin holding the roast together" , "Pierce, impale" , "Brochette" .)