Your starter for six

Well, I was trying to think of something readymade simply because Cherrytree is pushed for time and has her DGS to look after too!
not much time to faff

I do like smoked macherel paté - how long will it keep if made in advance?

Just come back from Sicily and their Caprese Salad is gorgeous...

Sliced/chopped tomatoes, mozarella sliced/chunks, basil , olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Absolutely no faff

Ah, one week, as long as you have nice bread and/or biscuits and don't faff with toast on this occasion you can make the paté the day before.

You just need something light with your menu.
I'd do salmon or smoked salmon pate or mousse in individual portions.
Dress up the plate with a couple of blinis with sour cream and a tea spoonful of salmon caviar on one and lumpfish caviar on the other.
Serve with rye bread and a garnish of lemon.

Don't bother with a starter. Just give nibbles crisps, olives etc. with a drink when they arrive. I find 3 courses , 4 with cheese a lot to eat. It will give you more time to sort your grandson out. The main and desserts sound amazing. X

Wow and thank you GNers.
Just sat down to read your ideas
All sound lovely
I could eat everyone
I think the 3 ingredients mackerel pate might be the answer on this occasion.
But I now have several ideas for future starters
Jalima you are right I won't faff with toast.
Thank you also for the good wishes for my little grandson.

Fresh Goats cheese, fresh figs, and watercress salad, with a sweetish oil & vinegar dressing. Can be done on a big platter. A help yourselves option seems the way to go to keep things simple.

ps what time did you say?

I would just do a large bowl of lamb's lettuce with a sauce based on walnut oil and add chopped walnuts - also pomegranate seeds (or whatever the bits are called that come out of the pomegranate) can be thrown in. Guests can eat as much or as little as they like.

However, you say "no faff". Lamb's lettuce is usually just washed and served in little bundles, as it grows (no faff), but I will spend 10-15 minutes cutting the roots off. I am always scared that a grain of sand or earth will be caught at the bottom where all the stalks come together and I've broken more than one tooth by biting on grains of sand!

Melba toast or tiny rolls to go with the salad.

My go to starter when I'm pushed for time is a wedge of Brie warmed until it starts to ooze (microwaving is fine) and then drizzled with runny honey and sprinkled with chopped walnuts.

Oooo now I'm sooo hungry ?

My quick easy, cook in the oven starter is half red peppers stuffed with halves of tomatoes, scatter with slithers of garlic and leaves of basil and black pepper and drizzle with olive oil bake in the oven for 20 mins, serve with bread. This is relish and from Delia summer collection.

Just making me HUNGRY !!

Ha! I recognised that one of Delia's alig99