How was cooking with fire invented?

Question

Assume for a moment that we evolved to prefer the taste of cooked meat after the invention of cooking meat.  (or don't).  What do you think was the primary reason proto-humans first thought of putting an animal's valuable meat over something as destructive as fire?  Was it to tenderize?  To sterilize?  To do some valuable biochemistry?  Was it that we just lumped meat together with the tough veggies we cooked?  (Or did we somehow already mysteriously have taste buds that preferred stuff cooked?)

itzezbeinmoe · Accepted Answer

We don't know for certain.
However, I was told once that one of the most prevailing theories was that since we were scavengers, humans likely came across a burnt forest and found dead meat that was 'burned;' they ate it and soon learned to cook with fire.

fastdrivingirl · Answer

Yep, I agree with the other 2 posters. May not have been out of necessity but merely something that was happened upon....lightening strike, tree, plant or animal burns and man sees that as an easy catch....hmm, meat is warm and easy to remove from bone, less mess, etc, etc....lets try to replicate this technique on our own...wonderous human evolution

Raspberry Rossia · Answer

Perhaps when lightning struck, they saw trees were burnt, leaves got dried. And then, they tried to put meat on fire. Better than raw and tastier.

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How was cooking with fire invented?

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