Man, Fire, Food Season 1 Episode 4 Pit Masters

The show "Man, Fire, Food" is a cooking series that takes viewers on a journey to explore the world of cooking with fire. Host and chef Roger Mooking travels across the United States to meet with pitmasters, chefs, and home cooks who specialize in cooking with fire and heat. Season 1 episode 4 is titled "Pit Masters," and in this episode, Roger visits two legendary pit masters in Texas and Tennessee who have dedicated their lives to the art of barbecue.

In Texas, Roger visits the famous Franklin Barbecue located in Austin. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin is known for his expertise in smoking meats, especially the brisket. Roger gets a tour of the pit room where he sees the giant smokers filled with ribs, chicken, and various cuts of beef. Aaron demonstrates his technique for smoking a brisket, a process that can take up to 16 hours. The secret to good barbecue, according to Aaron, is to keep it simple and let the meat speak for itself.

Next, Roger heads to Nashville, Tennessee, to visit Pat Martin, owner of Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint. Pat grew up in a family of pitmasters and has been cooking with fire since he was a child. He has won numerous awards for his barbecue, including the 2019 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southeast. Pat shows Roger his massive pit room where he uses a custom-built wood-fired pit to smoke his meats. Pat believes that cooking with fire is all about the process, and he takes great care in selecting the right wood and controlling the temperature to create the perfect flavor.

Back in Texas, Roger meets up with Rodney Scott, owner of Rodney Scott's BBQ in Birmingham, Alabama. Rodney is known for his whole hog barbecue, a traditional style of cooking where the entire pig is cooked over a wood fire. Rodney talks about his upbringing in South Carolina and how he learned to cook from his family. He takes Roger through the process of preparing a whole hog, from seasoning the meat to building the fire. Rodney believes that cooking with fire is a way to connect with his heritage and keep traditional cooking techniques alive.

In the final segment of the episode, Roger returns to Austin to visit the Micklethwait Craft Meats food truck. Owner Tom Micklethwait has built his reputation by using a custom-made smoker to produce some of the juiciest and most flavorful barbecue in Texas. Tom gives Roger a tour of his smoker and shows him how he prepares his famous pork shoulder and beef ribs. Tom believes that cooking with fire is an art form that requires patience, skill, and a deep love for the craft.

Overall, "Man, Fire, Food" season 1 episode 4 "Pit Masters" is a celebration of the art and science of cooking with fire. Through his visits with Aaron Franklin, Pat Martin, Rodney Scott, and Tom Micklethwait, Roger Mooking showcases the passion and dedication of the pitmasters who have made barbecue a beloved art form in the United States. Viewers will learn about the different techniques, ingredients, and traditions that make each pitmaster unique, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the rich history and culture of American barbecue.