"Learning to work with fire is the story of a lifetime. Today it's an extension of my hands, my soul, my aura."
Francis Mallmann, Argentinean cook

"But where's my fire?"

A funny sentence, isn't it? And such an interesting question. It was Yvette who uttered it during our campfire cooking experiment in October. She didn't say it by chance. She was really looking for her fire. Because that's one of the rituals you're going to experience: lighting your fire with your hands, a piece of metal and a few dry twigs. And it will be truly magical... this fire will be your personal connection to your soul, and no one but you will know what you said to each other at that moment.

An indispensable ritual: inviting fire to the party

Fire is a creature that loves simple, joyful things. But it's also a prankster, who can easily drive you crazy. You need to learn how to talk to it. To begin with, invite him to keep you company.

You've probably been there: you've invited some friends to join you around the fire for a barbecue. You've prepared the salads, chosen the wine and the main course is waiting to be cooked. There's just one thing left to do: light the fire. You try and try, but nothing happens. You add firelighters, blow, and...nothing. You start to get very hungry, and above all, very angry. It's going to be a lousy party, all because of that fire-head.

Why do you think it's sometimes so hard to get a fire started? I'd like to say it's because we've upset it. Fire is not a mere servant, resigned to doing us a favor whenever we need it. Fire sees itself as a valuable helper, a sort of co-organizer of your party. It wants to get to know you, the menu, your guests. It wonders what mood you're in today, and what your needs are: should it warm you up, help you cook a stew or grill some delicious dish to perfection? Are you relaxed and happy, or do you need reassurance and comfort? You wouldn't think of keeping a good friend away from confidences, would you? Well, think of fire as your partner.

Lighting the fire: learning to hear a call from afar

To help you get acquainted with fire, I have my own little technique. I prepare a nice log for each of you. I add a manual fire starter, a small piece of absorbent cotton and a few dry twigs. Every beautiful encounter deserves a little effort, doesn't it? You wouldn't dream of going on a date without a minimum of primping. So you're going to light that fire with your hands. Forget stinky firelighters, or even matches. We said a meeting, not a trip to the McDonald's.

I'm not saying it'll be easy. That you'll get it right the first time. But I can assure you of one thing. This is a magical ritual. When the spark flies, when the cotton ignites, the fire comes to greet you. Add a few twigs, feed it and... smile! Fire is a friend from afar. You've just made an encounter that transcends space and time. It deserves a little effort, a little patience and a little manners. Once fire has become your friend, it won't let you go. It will transmit its strength, a little of its power and give you confidence. In yourself, of course. But also in life.

An experience to be turned into a friendship

Once all the small personal fires are comfortably installed, we're going to gather them into one big common fire. This fire will be used for cooking, of course. But not only that. It will be a protective, unifying fire, of which we will all be co-authors. Complicity will emerge as if by magic, and we'll become friends.

Now you know why Yvette was looking for her fire. She found it, don't worry. I was a little too quick to move her log into the hearth when she hadn't finished chatting. Mea culpa...

If you, too, would like to learn to speak with fire by cooking over a campfire, join me for an upcoming event. The fire and I are waiting for you.