I always took a Dutch Oven and sometimes it didn't turnout as planned either, but with a hungry crowd it always got eaten!I've had some seriously good meals out of a buried dutch oven. Sadly, I seem unable to replicate the process for myself.
My ex's mom could make crispy baked chicken in the same pot and at the same time with crispy baked potatoes, for example. When I try it, everything turns to mush. lol (and I'm a pretty decent cook!)