Some of the sketch's i did as i was away, taking some of the ideas to develop a full design.
-No Hair, as it's been burn off in the past.
-Wears some kind of googles and/or head dress.
-Cooking, is equipped with cooking utensils.
-Mount? Something to help carry his cooking equipment something large and maybe some kind of build in cauldron. Maybe a giant Tortoise.
I like the first one myself, the expression and feathers make him look surprised, or as if he's just eaten something particularly spicy. Is it a flame beard, or hair that looks like fire?
Very cool designs 
To match your background story - his love for cooking - I would go with the first one. He looks like cook 
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@moirae They are flames and I think its a fun idea that a flame beard would burst out when he eats spicy food.
@jonatan-moonchild Thanks, I like the first one as well along with 2 and 6 but I agree a little more work in making him look like a cook is needed.
Really nice concept he needs a Paul Bocuse vibe. 
The fur can be vegetal, like those straw jacket (mino).
@innocent Like the mino idea especially as in a battle that would be the first thing to be set on fire haha.
Played a bit with the idea in this next set, also added chef aprons into the design. The clothing is mildly influenced by Mexican wrestling costumes and ridding apparel. Leaning towards 'A' myself but open to critique and ideas from all.
Added a bit more to the design to make him feel a bit more like a champion, thought the designs above were a bit too simple.
-Added a bit of a belly as well to help his character relate to someone who enjoys cooking and eating.
-Gave him some more cooking utensils on his belt.
-still not set on colours yet but I guess as he is a fire champions I should be looking at the warmer colours but i do like the blue above.
Updated design with some additional colours, I like the look of the blue as it compliments the orange and warmth of the fire he creates.
Some comps for the illustration, I've sketched some of these out in more detail and I really like the idea of him riding a tortoise. Going off my sketches though i prefer the bull one and i think it works with his theme a little better.
Open to suggestions.
+Adding some of the sketches I've been doing that are more in depth versions of above.
I've gone with the bull. Need to fix the arms and maybe the scale but I like where its going.
I really love the cow and its details
Granted Hes not looking very Fire like at the moment but the idea is that the brush around him will be starting to burn around him. I thought he would be travelling through enemy territory to take ingredients he wants and have figure in the back ground trying to deal with the fire before it takes off to strongly.
Looking good, I like the environment too. Doesn't look like he's specifically defending or attacking though, and be careful with the colours - I thought at first the guy was the entire cow too as they blend right into each other
@nesokaiyoh Very valid points, I've got a bit of a ruff update to help illustrate the scene with him walking off after attacking a forest (earth element). I think it pull's the character out of the background a bit better but working on a way to separate the bull from him so its not one shape.
I think just the pure silhouette of how he is right in the center of the cow like that is what's causing that tangent and unles you change the pose I don't think it'll go away (or you could change the entire colour of the cow to be beige for instance, then they won't share any similar colours ) but that's a suggestion! I do love the composition however, and the concept behind it is really nice
8 days later
A bit of polish and some slight modifications.
@nesokaiyoh I tried some bits to separate the character and cow from each other without starting from scratch. Something to take on in future works I think.
Welcome for any CC, there is still some time left!
Finished I think for this year, as always its been a lot of fun and great to see not only my own development but everyone else's too!
Great job on finishing, hope to see you next year!
