Second chef returning to dishes in warming devices (9)

'warming devices' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'second chef returning to dishes' is the wordplay.
'second chef' becomes 'h' (lnd letter of 'chef').
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'dishes' becomes 'plates' (plate is a kind of dish).
'to' reversed gives 'ot'.
'h'+'ot'+'plates'='HOTPLATES'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?