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Prompt to follow Ken's partner, missing one alfresco meal (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

barbecue

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

'one alfresco meal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'prompt to follow ken's partner' is the wordplay.
'prompt' becomes 'cue' (cue can mean a prompt or signal).
'to follow' says to put letters next to each other (some letters go after or follow others).
'ken's partner' becomes 'barbe' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cue' put after 'barbe' is 'BARBECUE'.

'missing' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for barbecue that I've seen before include "Cuba beer (anag.)" , "Grill for outdoor cooking" , "garden party" , "Cure babe (anag.)" , "Portable grill for cooking outdoors" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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