Started with a cake (4)
I believe the answer is:
tart
'a cake' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both things that one consumes for nourishment as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'started with' is the wordplay.
'with' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TART' is hidden in the letters of 'started'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tart that I've seen before include "Biting; flan" , "Acidic - sweet pastry" , "loose woman" , "Sharp tasting- like kind of pie?" , "Tom" .)