Dan and Steve: Party People

By Aaron Bailey in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 23, 2005 3:41PM

Add Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh to the top of the list of "People Chicagoist Would Hate If They Weren't So Nice." Not only have the Boystown caterers opened a successful new restaurant, HB: A Hearty Boys Spot, their new Food Network show, Party Line with Dan and Steve, premiered this week. And, the couple recently adopted a 2-month-old baby, Nate. All in unison now, "Awwwwwww."

You may remember earlier this summer when Dan and Steve competed against other wannabe celeb chefs to win the reality show, "The Next Food Network Star." The couple has been shuttling back and forth between Manhattan and Chicago taping their new series.

The first episode "premieres" this afternoon at 4 p.m., even though the first showing was early last Sunday morning. Chicagoist doesn't get up that early, so we're calling this afternoon's airing official.

The couple told Metromix that their new-found fame is both "weird" and flattering. Said Steve, "What I love is when people come in to see us [at HB] and I go up to the table and their eyes glaze over. And I think, 'Oh, they came in because of the show.' ... They've seen us on TV. Which is really fun," before adding, "We're taking applications for stalkers."

By the way, think you can be the next television superstar chef? You have until October 12 to submit your application for season two of the reality show. Get cookin'!