Crossword Genius

Painter inspired by cooks making fish (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dorado

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'fish' is the definition.
(another name for the mahi-mahi fish)

'painter inspired by cooks' is the wordplay.
'painter' becomes 'ra'.
'inspired by' indicates putting letters inside.
'cooks' becomes 'dodo' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ra' going inside 'dodo' is 'DORADO'.

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dorado that I've seen before include "'El ..., imaginary place of great wealth (6)'" , "Marine fish" , "Fish; do a rod (anag.)" , "El ..., place of fabulous wealth or great opportunity" , "stars" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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