DEREK WOLF, over the fire cooking
Derek Wolf has been on a 3-year journey to find how cooking with fire brings people together. He started the page Over The Fire Cooking to document his adventure.
His inspiration started when he lived in West Texas. The endless flavors of the Latin American culture have propelled him to fall in love with robust, savory and spicy ingredients to make food that will be delicious when kissed by the flame. Along the way, he has met, worked, shared, and cooked with endless chefs & cooks from around the world that love cooking with fire. As his social media presence grew, he started writing recipes on his blog, doing how-to videos, cooking at live events, making a line of spices, writing two cookbooks (Food by Fire & Flavor by Fire) and working with some amazing brands.
From South America to Nashville (current home), he is determined to learn how every culture cooks with fire. Follow him along on his journey. Through his eyes & taste buds, we will learn that cooking over a fire not only brings us together but perhaps might show us that we are not that different, to begin with.
MERRY GRAHAM, GRILLING GRANDMA
With a lifetime of culinary experience, Merry, known as Grilling Grandma, now shares her expertise as a recipe developer, food photographer, and brand ambassador. Her passion for cooking began with a BS in Foods and Nutrition, but it truly blossomed when she became a competitive cook.
Grilling Grandma is known for her creative California-inspired recipes featuring fresh produce, citrus, and herbs. Her eye-catching dishes have claimed multiple grand prizes. Here is a fun fact, Merry has traveled as far as Scotland for a cook-off!
Merry loves cook-offs and cooking for the camera! Her most rewarding experiences have been winning Chopped on Food Network and being honored by Bobby Flay as The Healthiest Cook in America.Her most shocking grand prize win was on Fire Masters on Food Network Canada. After winning two rounds against professional chefs, she went head to head with Chef Roger Mooking in a mystery round. They cooked over live fire, a smoker, and a grilling family dinner. Merry's expertise in making family meals in 45 minutes shone through as she made an entree, two sides, and a dessert! The judges deemed her smoked buffalo tenderloin as exquisite!
On social media, Grilling Grandma loves to feature tantalizing grilled proteins, smoked comfort food, quick smoky-delish family meals, and even grill-baked breads, cobblers, and cookies. When Merry isn't cooking for social media or a competition, she is grilling deliciousness from her home in Santa Clarita, California. "I love grilling, smoking, and cooking for friends, neighbors, family events, and my Tuesday Book Club!”
Merry shows no signs of slowing down. She walks and swims regularly, travels with her husband of over 40 years, cares for her grandchildren whenever possible, and is totally energized when she camps and cooks with her #GrillingGirlfriends.
