Party Line with Dan & Steve

After winning their 6 episodes on The Next Food Network Star (season 1), I was a little worried that their show would flop. Not because I didn't think they had talent or because they weren't likable, of course. Lucky for them, that didn't happen.

Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh's show provides useful party tips, as well as tricks of the catering trade, along with hearty, easy, essential entertaining dishes and appetizers.

The only notable faults of the show came from the early episodes, where their lack of experience showed slightly. But they've really brought it up to be fantastic and, dare I say, nearly up-to-standard with other Food Network shows. Not bad for amateurs!

My husband and I followed Dan & Steve all through the first "Next Food Network Star" competition, and were thrilled when this amazing duo won. Ever since that time, their show has *never* ceased to amaze us with the fabulous (and easy!) recipes they have presented.

Dan & Steve have more than a decade experience as professional caterers, and it shows - their dishes are fun, accessible to a wide audience, and beautifully presented. Unlike the typical cooking show that simply offers a food dish, Party Line with the Hearty Boys (originally Party Line with Dan & Steve) offers delicious food as well as great tips for party presentations, choosing the right drinks to complement the meal, and catering tips for how to make your table and party settings attractive, functional and low-maintenance - allowing you to enjoy company rather than fuss over the table.

To date, my two favorite recipes have been the French Country Tart, and their absolutely to-DIE-for Chocolate Truffle Brownies. I can't count the number of times they have made dishes that had intimidated me as a cook in past, but their simple recipes gave me the confidence to experiment more, and they are delicious to boot! So if you're a novice cook, there is something for *everyone* on this show - I cannot recommend it highly enough!