Diego Brancatelli, a busy journalist and TV host, is known for his love of asado, the quintessential Argentine barbecue. However, his recent attempt to cook an asado at home using an electric grill turned into a comical disaster that left him scrambling to avoid a full-blown fire.
Brancatelli, who juggles a packed schedule between his various media commitments, decided to take advantage of an early finish to his radio show to indulge in his favorite culinary pastime. Eager to avoid the hassle of lighting a traditional charcoal grill, he opted for a modern electric alternative, proudly showcasing his new purchase on social media.
As Brancatelli began cooking the meat and sausages, he quickly realized that the electric grill was not up to the task. “Fracaso absoluto. Casi tengo que llamar a los bomberos. Tuve que tirar un tacho de agua. Se prendió fuego todo,”
he recounted, describing the panicked scene as the grease from the food caused a raging fire to erupt.
In a desperate attempt to save his home from going up in flames, Brancatelli was forced to douse the grill with a bucket of water, ultimately resorting to the oven to finish cooking his meal. To add insult to injury, his wife, Cecilia Insinga, scolded him for the mishap, further compounding his culinary woes.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be tempted to take shortcuts when it comes to the art of asado. As Brancatelli learned the hard way, some traditions are best left to the experts, and the use of modern appliances may not always be the solution to the perfect grilled feast.
Despite the setback, Brancatelli’s love for asado remains undiminished. The episode, however, has likely taught him a valuable lesson about the importance of respecting the time-honored techniques and the potential risks of straying too far from the traditional methods. As he moves forward, one can only hope that Brancatelli’s next attempt at the grill will be a resounding success, without any unexpected pyrotechnics.
