Health Inspectors Shut Down Hearty Boys' Catering Co.

The Hearty Boys Dan Smith & Steve McDonagh--winners of the first Next Food Network Star in 2005--had their Chicago catering company shut down recently when it failed to pass a health inspection.

Luckily, it's back open for business today!


Please tell me it's not rats!

Nope. According to reports, the building had no hot or cold running water, a broken walk-in cooler, and food that was being kept at unsafe temperatures.

I sure hope those Hearty Boys haven't fallen on tough times!

While they continue to be referred to as "Food Network Stars," their show hasn't been in production for years. They got a water bill to pay, y'all! Help 'em out!

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Sorry for the ultra-late post today. It's kind of a letdown post, too. I'll be back on my game sooooon. Until then, continue to debate about Giada. ;-)

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Food Network's Not Gay Enough?

Popular website/blog Afterelton.com has a feature on six gay reality tv winners, and Dan & Steve-- The Hearty Boys --are included.

The Food Network has plenty of reason to appeal to gay viewers. Not only does it have plenty of shows focused on epicure and entertaining, it's also been a home to culinary divas like Martha Stewart and Giada De Laurentiis. However, the network has lacked an out gay man among its big stars. That looked likely to change at the end of the first season of The Next Food Network Star when the Chicago area caterers won themselves a Food Network show, Party Line with the Hearty Boys. Unfortunately, the Food Network buried their show to an inconvenient Sunday morning time slot.

I wouldn't really call FN a "home" to Martha Stewart, but whatever. And as far as the network lacking an out gay man among its big stars, what do you call Bobby Deen, then?



I kid, I kid. Just playing. Let the hate mail roll in.




Besides, Bobby isn't out.



I personally believe that if presented with an engaging, talented, entertaining and, yes, gay host (male or female), the network would put him or her in whichever time slot would garner the most ratings. It's all about the money, people. If a one-toothed, 95-year-old granny could get a few million viewers and cook a hamburger, you better believe she'd be bumping Emeril Live back yet another hour. Even if old granny was a lesbian.

Ok, yuck.


Luckily, Dan & Steve are still working away and even have a new cookbook:


(Yikes... it's 10:42 p.m. and too late go back and remove the extra "u." Dang Photoshop!)

Yep... Food Network may have you on at 7:30 a.m., but it'll still slap that logo on whenever it wants:-) I'm sure it's a good thing for both parties, though. A few more people will pick the book up who've never heard of the Hearty Boys thanks to that colorful, circular logo.

So what do you think? Is the Food Network diverse enough? Are you just DYING to have a gay/black/latino/asian/indian/etc. host or are you happy enough with the offerings?

Monday News

Hello there. Happy Monday off, if you have it. If not, hope you're enjoying a lovely start to your work week.

I received an email letting me know that my Jan. 29 post mis-identified the organizations that benefit from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival Auction.

Money from the auctions goes to the Florida International University's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant and its Southern Wine and Spirits Beverage Management Center.

One item I just saw caught my fancy:



The "Weekend in Chicago with the Hearty Boys" currently has NO BIDS! :-(

I happen to love Chicago, so let me give you a rundown on what's included and hopefully someone will step up to the plate (bidding starts at $500):

- Two nights at the InterContinental (that's close to $500 right there)
- $100 gift certificate for brunch at the Atwood Cafe
- Dinner at Dan & Steve's new supper club "Frill"
- $100 gift certificate for lunch at South Water Kitchen
- Gourmet picnic catered by the Hearty Boys at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

There are still several other items available for bidding until March 9 that have few or no bids.

I should also note that I don't benefit from mentioning this auction in any way. There's just so many great gifts available for food and Food Network lovers.

The Party Line Goes On and On

You'd think a GLBT publication like the Windy City Times would care to show its subjects in the best possible light, but when I saw this article on "Party Line" hosts Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh I was a little surprised:

BLECH! Where was this taken? The inside of some walk-in refrigerator? Please-- next time just borrow the airbrushed, professional, done-up pics available from FoodNetwork.com.

There! Nice and simple.

ANYhow... the article does illuminate a big more on what's going on in the professional and personal lives of the first winners of The Next Food Network Star.

Big news is that they're moving into their third season of "Party Line..." on the FN. The show that, like several others, is so easy not to watch. Sorry Dan and Steve! I don't know what it is... maybe I'm just not at that Michael Chiarello stage in my life yet (but does that mean I'm at my Ina Garten stage? Yikes).

They are also working on a cookbook, Talk with your Mouth Full, that is due out this year.

“There’s a big hoers d’oeuvres section as well as areas devoted to dinners ( sides, entrees and desserts ) and a big section about drinks,” Smith said. Added McDonagh, “There will also be tons of tips, like how to set up a buffet and how much ice to buy, for example.”

There will also “be a lot of stories,” said McDonagh. “We don’t want it to be like a Martha [ Stewart ] cookbook. We want it to be something funny that you’re enjoying as well as using.”

I also didn't know the Hearty Boys have restaurants in Chicago! Where have I been? Check out their Web site and let me know if you find out any more information on this elusive duo.

I am struggling today. After feeling perfectly well and dandy the fast few weeks, I have another horrible cold. I guess I should be happy I wasn't sick over the holidays, but it's not the best way to get back into the swing of things.

Hope everyone's enjoying their time back at work. I know I ammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Right.