Crossword Genius

Wide open to an alfresco buffet? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

outspread

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'wide open' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'an alfresco buffet?' is the wordplay.
'an alfresco' becomes 'out' (an alfresco meal is eaten outside).
'buffet?' becomes 'spread' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'out'+'spread'='OUTSPREAD'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for outspread that I've seen before include "Fully extended" , "Wide apart" , "Scattered" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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