Dish served during dinner is sent free — but not starters (6)
I believe the answer is:
entree
'dish' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'during dinner is sent free but not starters' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'not' could be 'nt' (synonyms) and 'nt' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'served' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entree that I've seen before include "Freedom of access" , "The right to enter a particular sphere" , "Dish providing right of entry" , "Right of entrance for a dish?" , "Dish; right of admission" .)