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

Creamy smoked salmon, leek & potato soup

Creamy and low-fat aren’t words you often hear together, but that’s exactly what you get with this freeze-ahead starter

Salmon & prawns with dill & lime aïoli

For a simple, smart starter, just mix mayo with garlic, herbs and a squeeze of lime and serve with seafood and brown bread