Ep 3. Smoke and Steam

Man, Fire, Food season 2 episode 3 is named Smoke and Steam and it takes viewers on a journey to explore the intersection of BBQ cooking and the world of trains. The episode is hosted by celebrity chef Roger Mooking who travels around the United States to discover new and exciting ways to cook with fire. In this episode, he explores the unique cooking techniques and flavors that are created when BBQ meets the railroad.

In the episode Smoke and Steam, Roger Mooking starts his journey in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He visits a freight train with Chef Erik Niel, who is famous for cooking delicious meals on board the train. The chef shows Roger how they use the heat from the steam from the train engine to cook their signature dish, Southern-style Brisket. Roger is fascinated by the technique and savors a juicy piece of the brisket. He also learns about the history of trains in the South and how they have influenced the BBQ cuisine.

Next, Roger travels to Indianapolis and meets pit-master Toby Gritton. He takes Roger around his farm where he raises heritage pork-breeders and then they make use of the steam engine to cook their masterpiece hog roast. Toby shares the recipe for his famous fire-roasted pork shoulder and Roger gets a taste of the delicious dish.

The next stop on Roger's journey is New Orleans, where he discovers the unique flavors of Creole cooking. He meets Chef Isaac Toups, owner of the popular restaurant Toups' Meatery. Chef Isaac prepares a spicy and flavorful dish of smoked and steamed oysters that leaves Roger in awe. The Chef shares with Roger how he cooks the oysters in a custom steam table that he designed himself. Roger can't help but be impressed by the creativity and ingenuity of the Chef's cooking technique.

Roger's final stop in the episode is in Austin, Texas, where he meets pit-master Tom Micklethwait. Tom is the owner of the popular BBQ joint, Micklethwait Craft Meats. He shows Roger how he uses the smoke and steam from the fire to cook his famous Beef Ribs. Roger can't resist the finger-licking goodness of the dish and is completely blown away by the technique.

Overall, the Smoke and Steam episode of Man, Fire, Food season 2 is a fascinating exploration of the unique ways in which the railroad and BBQ cooking intersect. With mouth-watering BBQ dishes, creative cooking techniques, and fascinating insights into the history of trains and BBQ, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of good food and cooking.