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Brendan, I also originally thought it was a 'mini-theme'. That being unexpected from Brockwell, I went through the grid in detail and revised my opinion. I returned to it today (originally solved Friday evening US time) and kept finding more, including a reverse hidden (14) and a partial (25). So you weren't the only one.

Almost there, earlier than usual, but stuck on 24d and 28a. Could someone please offer a gentle nudge?

Foi: 11a
Loi: one of the above
Cod: 22a for concise precision

Hi Pam,

24d - 3 letter 'dog' the single letter 'Dutch' - definition is 'cheese'

28a - single letter 'American' plus 4 letter'despot' all reversed (so 'American' would be the last letter) - definition is 'dreaded one' as in 'one with dreads'

Sorry Pam, as I mentioned yesterday, the keyboard on my laptop has stopped functioning correctly meaning I can't make many symbols. I've just now searched out a PnP keyboard so will try again....

24d - shoud have read - 3 letter "dog" + single letter "Dutch"

Have to agree with Rainman's comment @36 about the "gift that keeps on giving".

Just noticed 26a (the) which I'd totally missed before, despite having gone through the grid 3 times to make sure I'd got them all.

Thanks, @Brendan, both now understood and solved.

The theme was fun, though I didn't spot it until reading the forum with most of the puzzle solved. Surprised not to see "baked" in there somewhere!

Hi Brockwell and many thanks for a very enjoyable crossword. Cheers

Finally done on Sunday morning. Great puzzle as ever from Brockwell. Right up there. Too many good clues to call. My LOI was 11a which took me an age to figure out even with having the right answer.

Thanks to Brockwell for an amazing crossword and for visiting the forum.
Got off to a flying start then came to a halt with four left which I’ll have another think about this morning . Took a while to get the theme ,there seemed to be more than one possible candidate.

Nearly finished, stuck on 26a, 22 d and 23 d. Can I get a hint please?