Pat Martin’s New “Life of Fire” Series Promises Authenticity Over Ego
In a promising new addition to the Outdoor Channel lineup, Nashville-based pitmaster, Pat Martin, is bringing the smoky, passionate world of traditional barbecue to viewers with a refreshing twist. The series, “Life of Fire”, aims to side-step the overblown characters and ego-fueled rivalries often found in such shows. Instead, it focuses on the heart and soul of barbecue – the time-honored traditions, skillful techniques, and sheer love of the craft.
A Focus on Tradition and Technique
Martin’s dedication to the art of barbecue is well-known – he owns the successful Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint across four states. “Life of Fire”, named after his cookbook, showcases the same respect for the old ways that have characterized Martin’s professional life. To him, barbecue is not just about the final product, but the slow, thoughtful process that gets you there. Throughout the series, viewers will witness various styles of live-fire cooking and the unique stories that unfold over slow-burning coals.
The Series: A Celebration of Slow Cooking
The series invites viewers to take their time, savor the experience, and, in doing so, discover the beauty of cooking over a live fire. There are no shortcuts here. The series de-emphasizes automatic cooking tools and methods, focusing on embracing the intimacy and mastery of traditional cooking techniques.
“Life of Fire” Offers a Cultural Journey
“Life of Fire” doesn’t stop at simply offering tantalizing barbecue techniques. In the series, Martin journeys across the landscape of fire-cooking traditions. In one episode, he learns to make Hmong-style purple sticky rice from Yia Vang, chef of Union Hmong Kitchen in Minnesota. The series thus becomes a potent reminder that cooking, at its core, is about building relationships and connecting with one’s roots.
The Lost Art of Whole Hog Barbecue
The opening episode highlights Martin’s journey to master West Tennessee whole hog barbecue – a method that, though rich in tradition, is seldom practiced today due to its complexity. Historically, these pitmasters cooked extra-large hogs at low temperatures allowing the skin to act as a cooking vessel. The pork is essentially confit in its own fat – a painstaking but rewarding process that offers rich flavors. This tradition is being kept alive by Martin and like-minded pitmasters committed to preserving the authenticity of barbecue.
“Life of Fire” – A Series to Savor
The journey that Martin undertakes in “Life of Fire” reaffirms the primal and enduring bond between food, fire, and humans. It reminds audiences to slow down and savor the process, to respect and cherish the traditions passed down to us. Much more than a cooking show, “Life of Fire” is, at its core, about human connection over food and flame.
How to Watch
Premiering on May 6 at 8 p.m. on the Outdoor Channel, “Life of Fire” runs for 10 episodes. You can catch the series through various cable and satellite providers, or on platforms like Sling, Hulu Live TV or YouTubeTV.
