Ep 12. Playing with Fire in New England

In season 3 episode 12 of Man, Fire, Food, titled "Playing with Fire in New England," the episode takes a trip to New England to explore the region's unique and flavorful cuisine. Host Roger Mooking meets local chefs and pitmasters who are experts in using fire to cook up a variety of dishes.

Roger starts his journey in Boston, where he meets up with Chef Will Gilson at his restaurant, Puritan & Co. Will shows Roger how to make a dish called the "Whole Hog," which involves cooking an entire pig over an open flame. The pork is then used to make a variety of dishes, including pulled pork sandwiches and pork belly.

Next, Roger heads to Bangor, Maine to meet up with pitmaster Josh Parlee of Smokin' Phil's Famous BBQ. Josh shows Roger how to smoke a whole ribeye roast to perfection, using a blend of hickory and applewood to give it a rich, smoky flavor. The meat is served alongside a variety of sides, including cornbread and collard greens.

In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Roger meets up with Chef Matt Louis at his restaurant, Moxy. Matt shows Roger how to cook up a twist on a classic New England dish – lobster. Rather than boiling or steaming the lobster, Matt grills it over an open flame to give it a smoky, charred flavor. The lobster is then served with a variety of sides, including grilled corn and bacon-wrapped scallops.

Finally, Roger heads to Providence, Rhode Island to meet up with Chef Derek Wagner at his restaurant, Nick's on Broadway. Derek shows Roger how to cook up a classic New England dish – clam chowder. However, rather than making the chowder in a pot on the stove, Derek uses a cast iron skillet and an open flame to give the soup a smoky flavor. The chowder is then served with grilled bread and homemade bacon.

Throughout the episode, Roger also showcases the unique fire cooking techniques used in New England, including grilling, smoking, and open flame cooking. He also takes in the region's beautiful scenery, from the rugged coastline of Maine to the historic streets of Boston.

"Playing with Fire in New England" is a mouth-watering exploration of the region's rich and flavorful cuisine, showcasing the talented chefs and pitmasters who are experts in using fire to cook up unforgettable dishes.