Steak in tinfoil might work in a fireplace. The technique is to build an ash bed, load the ash bed with coals, cover the clothes with a layer of ash - half an inch or more - place the foil packet over the center of the coal bed - then cover that with a layer of ash, or, mostly cover it, leaving a vent hole.
A cooking fire is different from a heating/lighting fire.
Growing up we had a franklin stove style fireplace insert with a swinging broiling grill - that was fun. Smoke, spitting flames, etc, but it works and is fun.
We used to make "mountain pies", with a tool like a clamshell mold - two slices of buttered bread with spoonfuls of filling, either meat or fruit. you close the device, pop it over an area of hot coals in the fireplace, and make kid-approved fireplace food all night long.
http://www.amazon.com/Romes-1705-Squ...2012096&sr=8-1