Smoke

To let someone "cook” means to let someone do their thing. It's another way of saying “Give them some space, they're on to something.”

But, to smoke is a slower, gradual build-up to the eventual yet impressive final product - low heat, long hours.

Cooking is shorter with quicker results, while smoking is longer with a result that just as satisfying. Smoking requires more patience from the audience than cooking.

Example 1

Person A: I don't get it, when will this get good? Nothing's happening yet!

Person B: Nah... she's smoking, give her a sec.

Example 2

Person Y: He smoked that shit! Shouldn't have underestimated him.

Person Z: Trueee