It’s that time again — when we prepare to ring in the new by celebrating the best of the past year. So this week, we give you some of our favorite stories from 2006.

Originally published in Everywhere on 8/9/06

The nerve of some people. They think just because they wine and dine you, they get to see you naked.

Next time you extract a price from those you lavish with food and drink, make sure it’s one they’re willing to pay: Let Epicurious help you host your next dinner party, and they’ll ensure it’s an event that benefits more than just your bellies.

Here’s how it works: You whip up a meal from a menu with recipes provided by a renowned chef (like San Francisco’s Michael Mina, Boston’s Michael Schlow, Chicago’s Shawn McClain, or Dallas’s Kent Rathbun). Your guests sit down to a delectable meal, paired with recommended wines, chez toi. In return, they make charitable donations of at least $50 to America’s Second Harvest, which helps feed needy kids throughout the country.

Share photos, silly stories, and the amount of monies you collected with Epicurious, and the biggest fund-raising host or hostess each month will be featured on the website.

Fully clothed, of course.

For information and instructions, go to epicurious.com.