Crossword Genius

Seriously criticise complaint about food rejected by vegetarians … (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

roast beef

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

'food rejected by vegetarians' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'seriously criticise complaint' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'criticise' could be 'roast' (I've seen this before) and 'roast' is found in the answer.
'complaint' could be 'beef' (beef can mean a complaint or objection) and 'beef' is located in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'about' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for roast beef that I've seen before include "Typical English dish" , "Joint" , "Sunday meat?" , "traditional meal" , "Typically 7 down dish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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