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Special guests Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, hosts of Food Network's "Party Line," will meet with fans and sign autographs during the VIP and Grand Tastings.

The catering, restaurant and event-planning team say they are excited about the invitation, sponsored by Comcast. "We love wine!" they chorus during a telephone interview from their home in Chicago.

"We drink wine every night with dinner," says McDonagh, a native of Wayne, N.J. "I think we are both really partial to big flavorful wines, such as Italian or those from Napa Valley."

The duo will have plenty of selections from which to choose at the Thursday tastings. The VIP event begins at 5 p.m., followed by the Grand Tasting at 6:30 p.m. More than 100 international vintages will be poured, including wines from France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, California and Pennsylvania.

Smith, a native of Long Island, N.Y., and McDonagh -- partners in life as well as business, and parents of an adopted 9-month-old son, Nate -- met as fledgling actors in New York City 20 years ago. They started their catering enterprise -- The Hearty Boys Caterers -- eight years ago. Both worked as waiters when acting jobs weren't quite paying the rent, and they learned about the profession by observing, planning events and working in kitchens.

"The business always is crazy," says McDonagh. "We're finding ourselves to be very popular. We feel as if we have brought something 'East Coast' to the Midwest."

They set out to rock Chicago with theme parties and fun food, now reflected in their restaurant, HB. Their head chef is JonCarl Lachman, who hails from Pittsburgh.

"JonCarl is so jealous that we are going to Pittsburgh for the festival," Smith says.

Last year, Smith and McDonagh were contestants on a new Food Network show called "The Next Food Network Star." They won on June 26. Their son was born on July 9. Their series, "Party Line," is shot in New York City, and there is no lack of assistance in the nursery.

"We shoot 13 episodes, which usually takes two weeks," says McDonagh. "Since we're both from the East Coast, any time we are there our families are fighting over baby-sitting rights."

The focus of "Party Line" is to show how to entertain at home, through the eyes of professional caterers. They might demonstrate the workings of a cocktail party for 20 people, a sit-down fancy dinner for eight, or a buffet where folks will be holding plates on their laps. Smith offers and demonstrates the recipes as McDonagh weaves decorating and organizing tips throughout the filming.

Some ideas come from real life.

"We just had seven people over for book club," says McDonagh. "Dinner was set for 7 o'clock. Well, the baby got sick, and we had to take him to the doctor at 5, then get medicine for an ear infection on the way home."

When the two finally arrived around 6 -- and had to administer the medicine as well as feed the baby -- the dog became sick.

"At 6:20, the lamb chops still were raw," says McDonagh. "But Dan put things together beautifully."

The meal featured escargot, andouille sausage, lamb chops, truffled sweet potatoes and braised leeks.

"That's what our show is about," says Smith, who adds that their Chicago eatery's cuisine is "haute cuisine meets down-home food." Open for dinner six days a week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday, HB's menu includes Artichoke and Prosciutto Fritters, Littleneck Clams, and Duck Foie Gras Pate -- and those are only part of the appetizers. Brown Sugar-Crusted Salmon, Mint and Garlic Marinated Rack of Lamb and Wisconsin Rainbow Trout are among entrees.

Smith says the only exposure he's had to Pittsburgh is watching "Flashdance," and McDonagh came through the city a few times while touring with a troupe, so the spectacular views from Heinz Field will be brand new.

Despite closely scheduled autograph sessions, interviews and a restaurant reception, The Hearty Boys plan to party as much as possible.

"We intend to drink a lot of wine," they say.

2006 Pittsburgh Wine Festival

New to the annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival this year -- which began yesterday and continues through Friday -- are private dinners hosted by patrons in their homes. The meals, set for Friday, feature a prominent area chef and a representative of a domestic or international winery.

Hosts include Bobbi and Hal Bonnett, of Sewickley (Michael Lench Catering, Michele Chiarlo Winery); Frederick Frank, of Squirrel Hill (chef David Racicot of Nemacolin Woodslands Resort, Flora Springs Winery); and Peter Karlovich and Steve Herforth, of Mt. Washington (chef Bob Sendall of All in Good Taste Productions, St. Supery Vineyards and Winery). Jack Offenback, owner of Ruth's Chris Steak House, and his wife, Peggy, will host a dinner at the Downtown restaurant featuring executive chef Dennis Denk and Swanson Vineyards.

Other dinners are sponsored by Laura and Claude Kronk, of Sewickley; Kevin McClatchey, of Ligonier; and Mario and Nathalie Lemieux, of Sewickley.

Here is the schedule of events for the festival, in its fourth year. Proceeds benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Wednesday

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