Walnut & stilton orzotto with roasted squash & Port sauce

MasterChef finalist, Alex Rushmer, shows us how to create a show-stopping vegetarian starter for the festive season

Baked goat’s cheese with hazelnut crust & balsamic onions

This simple breaded cheese can be made ahead and frozen, ready to use as a starter for a dinner party with friends

Whipped brie salad with dates & candied walnuts

This sumptuous salad is perfect for a group starter and can be whipped up the night before

Lobster with Thermidor butter

A luxury that has been prized by chefs for years, so make the most of it with this cheat’s classic

Spiced home-cured salmon

Ever the versatile fish, this fresh, no-cook salmon starter can be made a few days ahead

Prawn & fennel bisque

A luxurious seafood soup that is rich in flavour, perfect for formal entertaining and low in calories too

Roast pumpkin with cream, thyme & Parmesan

This impressive-looking dish makes a wonderful starter for a dinner party

Melting cheese with poppy & apricot bread wreath

Baked Camembert just got a whole lot better – try home baking a decorative ring and tear off chunks to dunk like fondue

Sharing potted shrimp

Potting shellfish in a cayenne and mace-flavoured butter is a surprisingly simple fish starter that’s great as part of a sharing platter

Scandi smoked salmon

Try a Scandinavian approach to your smoked fish by adding dill, horseradish, lemon and red onion – great as part of a sharing platter