I challenge you to think of a starter

[MumofSpud]

Of course we don't NEED a starter - 4 people all with fussy different tastes and I can't think of the same starter that they could all have:
3 adults and 1 teen
NO
Cheese
Red meat
Vegetables (peas and carrots are ok)
Spice
Indian / Chinese / Italian
Garlic

All I can think of is a retro vol-au-vent with chicken tinned cream of chicken soup
Or bruschetta with ? on it?

Any ideas?

Very sorry to hear the situation, OP.

How about chicken goujons on decorative salad with Mayo/tomato sauce/salsa

Or potato skins with chopped bacon

Arancini balls? www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/arancini-balls

Pombears are the obvious solution!

French onion soup with a big crouton and cheese on top
Leek and potato soup.

Do sausages count as red meat to them? If they are ok, I would do some deluxe sausage rolls with a variety of dips or chipolata sausages cooked in marmalade and port with some crusty baguette

Otherwise mini twice baked potatoes with lashing of butter and cream, then a couple of toppings that people could choose between eg bacon bits, grated cheddar, spring onions etc. then its not too much extra work but people can be happy while others dont have to miss out on more interesting food

If pork is an option, pea and ham soup might work. Or a ham/bacon quiche (mini ones would allow different flavour options without much more energy).

Chicken wings seem to fit too, although that might be something people would want immediately before a roast dinner.

Avocado with home made vinaigrette (leave out garlic)

Houmous, tzatziki, aubergine dip, caponata, served with flat bread, everyone chooses what they like.

Grapefruit with brown sugar, grilled till bubbled and very slightly charred. Prep beforehand ready to grill.

Pink grapefruit and black grape salad, with a lime dressing.

Chicken Caesar salad. Leave the cheese out for those cheese refuseniks.

How about a simple Spanish Omlette.

No cheese, but with chicken instead.

If you did a selection of all our suggestions a la buffet style, for your starters, then hopefully there should be something that's suits everyone.

Given your update, it sounds like things will be tough enough without trying to balance everyone's dietry preferences and the associated additional time in the kitchen. I like the sharing platter idea with a selection of bits to choose from plus a couple of packs of fancier hot party food. Low effort, everyone will find a number of things they'll eat, and it doesn't stop those who do enjoy something slightly less bland from eating some more interesting choices.

Mezze?

Bruschetta, houmous, taramasalata, tsatzicki, meat skewers, calamari, olives, Greek salad, pitta

Thin toast with a choice of hummus, pate and philly cheese?
So give them all a choice of something safe and something new?

Pea and ham soup

Half a grapefruit with a cherry on top

Just looked at my Christmas cookbooks for you and I think pâté is your best choice. Jamie suggests a pork terrine which might work

I’d do a mezze platter so you can have meat/hummus/bread/olives/veg/pickles and people can build their plates up to their own preferences. What are you doing for a main?

Buy some premade canapes, then everyone can have what suits them. Or nothing.

I have never met a picky eater who wouldn’t be freaked out by pate.
all the ones I know also
refuse soup.

the no cheese is really what makes this hard. Just a bit of cheese would open up so many simple variations of bread and cheese which tend to be well received. cheese puffs, cheese Straws, bread spread with a soft cheese and drizzled with a bit of honey, bread with mild cheese and a slice of prosciutto

what about pork or chicken meatballs with a couple of dipping sauces?

Prawn cocky always gets my vote

I'd it's for your own family, make something you want and everyone else can like it or lump it.

Pigs in blankets. Just a huge plateful.

With more for the main course naturally.

Rick Stein's Duck Noodle Soup. It's more of an aromatic broth and the garlic/chilli /coriander etc are mainly condiments you add when assembling so what I do is put those in ramekins for people to assemble their own.
And you can make it ahead of time freezing the broth stock and the duck meat separately, then just whack it all in the slow cooker in the morning to warm through and add water to taste.

Mini pizza
Or pastry square with stuff on top

Chicken nuggets
Or tempura chicken with prop salad

Maybe fruit kebabs served with champagne / sparkling wine / non alcohol fizz for those not drinking.

Or something like pork rillettes / pate and toast with a salady item like raddish.

Bread and olive oil/balsamic dip or bruschetta with tomatoes

Chicken satay with peanut sauce
Parsnip soup
Veggie gyoza