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26a "Defeated mention of cookery expert" (6)
I can see that it is either BEATON or BEATEN, as both would seem to fit. Does anyone know which one is the definition please ?

Beaten

Thanks Torvic but why do you chose BEATEN ? I am ready to post this off, so I would appreciate your logic in choosing please !

The definition is Defeated (Beaten) and sounds like (mentioned) Beaton.

Also the theme of the puzzles is defeats!

Thanks Tony, saved me the effort.

Thanks for your prompt reply. I can see this now.

26a I disagree:clue can be just as well understood vice-versa.Also Mrs Beeton wrote her name like this!So where are we now?Another Araucaria unfair ambiguity?

The question is whether it's 'beaten' or 'Beeton' (author of 'Household Management', so the 'cookery expert'). 'Beaton' has nothing to do with it. The clue has 'mention of cookery expert', so it's moer likely it means 'sounds like Beeton', and the answer is thus 'beaten'.