Gather any group of friends together and you'll get good conversation, but offer this same group interesting, out-of-the-ordinary and creative party foods and now you've really got the conversation flowing!

Here are ten party food recommendations guaranteed to get people talking on New Year's Eve:

(1) Start things with a kiss:  D'Artagnan offers Armagnac prunes stuffed with Duck Foie Gras (www.dartagnan.com)  and charmingly callls them "French Kisses" -- why not feature a "kiss" table dispensing French Kisses, Hershey's chocolate kisses and baked meringue kisses

(2) What's your beef?Host a steak tasting and compare notes. The Oliver Ranch Company (www.oliverranch.com) offers a "Discover Beef: Experience Artisan Beef Tasting Pack" complete with Tasting Guide.  The filets we tried were out of this world.

(3)  What's my line? We predict that Australis Barramundi fish (www.TheBetterFish.com)  will be a frontrunner in 2009, so why not grill up a batch and let guests guess which continent is home for this sweet and moist seafood and offer a bottle of champagne for the winner.

(4)  A spirited dessert: The Great Spirits Baking Company features Mini Bundt Cakes for Two (www.thegreatspiritsbakingcompany.com) aged with such premium brands as Pyrat XO reserve rum. These also make a great parting gifts at the end of the party because they are beautifully boxed.

(5)  A Rose with no hangover:The very clever folks at Vignette Wine Country Soda (www.winecountrysoda.com) have bottled a Rose soda that is non-alcholic, yet looks very festive in the glass.

(6) Not your mother's corn chip: A chocolate tortilla chip that doubles as a cracker? How wild is that?  Other flavors from www.foodshouldtastegood.com include sweet potato and buffalo.

(7)  Play dough:Chef Steven at www.1-800-bakery.com introduced us to David's Cookie Play Dough (awww.davidscookies.com)  edible cookie dough in a rainbow of colors that looks just like tubs of playdough -- set them out on your buffet and encourage the "kid" in your guests to dig in and start having fun.

(8) Not S'more of the same: Remember huddling around a summer campfire making S'mores?  S'more Smoochies (www.thePerfectPresent.net) is a custom-made version with the same satisfying sweet taste.

(9) What's the buzz: Buzz Bites are nifty little tins containing chocolate chews, each equal to consuming a cup of caffeinated coffee.(www.vroomfoods.com)

(10) Go Nuts: B. Lloyd's (www.blloyds.com) has premiered a new line of glazed and sugared Walnut, Pecan and Almond pieces as salad toppings, but the 5.5 oz. shaker container is just perfect for parties.  Set them liberally around your buffet and people can shake out a handful as desired.

Until our next food find...may all your food finds be fabulous!