It was a very powerful charity dinner evening last week at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside as the B.C. Hospitality Foundation Founders gathered to host a preview for the Who's Who of foodie media of their 2nd annual Founders formal gala dinner on Jan. 26th. The foundation, which was formed in 2006, offers financial assistance to people who work in the food, beverage or hospitality professions at a critical time of need. The founders organize gala dinners and golf tournaments to help fill the coffers, which now stands at more than an amazing $200,000!

Energetic spaz and all, I might have gotten a little too eager and taken my society columnist gig a little too seriously. Having attended more than 200 events in 2008, I am about to head to sleep for the remainder of the year. My abundance of energy aside, I present you with the third annual Best Soirees of 2008. While I thoroughly enjoyed every event I attended, this special column celebrates the parties that went above and beyond in 2008.I have singled them out and grouped them into six categories.