Ep 1. Southern Sizzle and Smoke

In Man, Fire, Food season 10 episode 1, titled "Southern Sizzle and Smoke," host Roger Mooking travels to the American South to explore the region's beloved BBQ culture and taste some of the most mouth-watering dishes from the area's top pitmasters.

The episode begins with Roger visiting a renowned BBQ joint where he meets pitmaster Leslie Roark Scott. The two of them set out to prepare a signature dish that's a staple in the South - pulled pork. Using an old-school pit that's been slow-cooking the meat for hours, Roger and Leslie showcase their talent as they pull apart the tender, juicy meat and add it to a homemade bun. As they bite into the smoky and flavorful sandwich, Roger marvels at the richness of the BBQ sauce and the complexity of the meat, which has absorbed all the flavors from the wood and spices.

Next, Roger heads to a small town in Alabama to meet pitmaster James Gregory. James introduces him to a regional specialty - smoked chicken wings that are coated in a spicy, tangy sauce made with hot peppers, honey and vinegar. While the wings smoke over a wood fire, James shows Roger how to make a marinade that's both flavorful and tenderizing, and explains why his technique is so unique.

As Roger craves for more of the delicious Southern food, he heads to a BBQ festival in Memphis to sample some of the most creative and unusual dishes from the region's best pitmasters. Roger meets Mr. Whitaker, a pitmaster who serves up a dish that combines two Southern classics - BBQ and mac and cheese. The dish features a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese base topped with pulled pork and BBQ sauce, and is then baked in a wood-fired oven for a crispy, smoky finish.

Finally, Roger visits pitmaster Rasheed Philips in Atlanta, who's known for his fusion-style BBQ. Rasheed introduces him to a dish that combines his Jamaican roots with classic Southern BBQ - jerk chicken with collard green and mac and cheese egg rolls. The dish fuses the spicy, tangy flavors of Caribbean jerk chicken with the buttery, cheesy goodness of Southern mac and cheese, and is served in crispy egg rolls that add a crunchy texture.

Throughout the episode, Roger not only enjoys some of the best BBQ dishes but also learns about the deep roots of Southern BBQ culture and the traditions that have been passed down through generations of pitmasters. He discovers how the choice of wood, the type of meat, and the seasoning mix can all impact the flavors of BBQ, and how each pitmaster has their own special secrets for creating their signature dishes.

"Southern Sizzle and Smoke" is a tantalizing and informative episode that will have viewers craving for a taste of Southern BBQ and appreciating the artistry behind this beloved cuisine.