The Vintage Grand Prix race area will be fragrant with the aroma of grilling bratwurst this weekend as the world's largest touring grill rolls into Schenley Park.

	The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill will be in Schenley Park this weekend. Sale of grilled brats will benefit the Autism Society of PIttsburgh. Click image for larger version.

The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, weighing in at 53,000 pounds, is 65 feet long and can grill 2,500 brats an hour. Equipped with running water, a prep station and a refrigeration unit, the huge cooker runs on liquid propane that lights with the flick of a switch. An on-board pneumatic system raises and lowers the giant grill lid.

You can find it parked at Forbes Avenue and Schenley Drive in Schenley Park from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

All proceeds from the sale of brats (donation basis) benefit the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. To date, the Big Taste Grill has raised more than $2 million for charities in the United States and Canada.

Vive les desserts!

You can celebrate Bastille Day at one of these restaurants:

Ma Provence, Squirrel Hill, is offering a prix fixe dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday. On the menu are oysters mignoette or beef carpaccio, potato leek soup or gazpacho, ahi tuna steak or veal chop, cheese selection. Cost is $50 or $70 with a selection of French wines. Call 412-521-2925.

UUBU6, 178 Pius St. on the South Side Slopes, is having a three-day celebration today through Saturday. On the menu are smoked duck breast, salmon rillettes, beef strip steak with green beans and pomme frites, salad, cheeses and fresh berries. Cost is $45 or $65 with wine.

Saturday only UUBU6 is having a Dessert Extravaganza featuring 25 luscious, chef-made desserts -- Grand Marnier souffle, crepes suzettes, berrymisu, triple chocolate mousse cake, kiwi charlotte and hazelnut financier, to name a few. Cost is $100. Hours are: 3 to 10 p.m. today and Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Call 412-381-7695.

Chips fall where they may

For the July 4 New York Times Dining In section, writer Kim Severson and her colleagues taste-tested nearly 50 kinds of potato chips, from national best-sellers to regional cult favorites. Kettle cooked chips were clearly favorites and took the first nine spots. Two of the winners were from Pennsylvania -- Herr's in fourth and Troyer Farms fifth.

Farm dinner in the city

A Summer Farm Dinner, featuring fresh ingredients grown and raised on regional farms, will be held at 6 p.m. July 27 at the Original Fish Market, 1001 Liberty Ave., Downtown.

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, the menu from executive chef Brian Annapolen includes organic beef and free-range chicken, spiced duck confit, Jamison's lamb, Arctic char, peach three ways and ice cream. Local wines and beers will be included with each course.

Cost is $100; reservations 412-697-0411. Proceeds benefit PASA.

The last word

"The dessert is said to be to the dinner what the madrigal is to literature -- it is the light poetry of the kitchen." George Ellwanger, British food writer.