Happy holidays everyone! It's been quiet in the food world — after all, we've all been pigging out on cookies, hot cocoa and feasts, right? — but just in case you missed anything, here's what went down this week.

• New Year's is just around the corner, and to celebrate we've provided everything you need to plan a New Year's Day brunch party.



• Just in time for New Year's Eve, here are instructions on how to open a bottle of champagne.
• Warm up your weeknight with a hearty minestrone soup.
• Don't forget to take pictures of your food and submit them to our Savory Sights group.
• If you've got gift cards burning holes in your pockets, maybe you'll find a great self-gift idea in one of our holiday gift guides.
• Christmas may be over, but this game is still fun. Can you match the food to the Christmas carol?
• Finally, the end of the year is quickly approaching. To help you remember just what happened this year we've been going crazy with our Best of 2007 coverage. This week we looked at:
  • The most-talked about newspaper food section stories
  • Your favorite food reality contestant and food reality judge
  • Our favorite cocktails of the year
  • The year's favorite food trends

  

  • The biggest debates in food choices
  • The best best food cities
  • Your favorite restaurant chain and grocery store
  • Our favorite food holiday
  • A global adventure via recipes from around the world
  • The most emailed stories of the year
  • The year's weirdest gadgets
  • Our favorite homemade ice cream sandwiches