What the more candid cook will admit to using? (6)
I believe the answer is:
opener
'using?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.
'what the more candid cook will admit' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'candid' could be 'open' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'open' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'er' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for opener that I've seen before include "First event in a series" , "Batsman who starts innings" , "player, first to bat" , "First in batting order" , "First going in to bat" .)