Expert returned fruit to each diner for starters (6)
I believe the answer is:
gifted
'expert' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'returned fruit to each diner for starters' is the wordplay.
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'fruit' becomes 'fig' (fig is a kind of fruit).
'for starters' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letters of 'to each diner' is 'ted'.
'fig' in reverse letter order is 'gif'.
'gif'+'ted'='GIFTED'
(Other definitions for gifted that I've seen before include "With high talent" , "Adept -- given" , "Talented, having great natural ability" , "Presented" , "Endowed with talent" .)