Chef Kent Rathbun received an outpouring of support after his custom smoker trailer was stolen.
DALLAS — A custom-built smoker trailer belonging to acclaimed Dallas chef Kent Rathbun has been stolen, prompting an outpouring of support from the local community.
Rathbun, a four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef, says the smoker, valued at around $27,000, was taken from a gated warehouse near Love Field sometime before July 26. It had been parked outside his catering kitchen off Lemmon Avenue when it vanished.
“I’ve had it longer than my kids,” Rathbun said. “It’s been to Super Bowls, it has cooked for thousands, it’s traveled the country. It’s like my baby.”
The 18-foot, bright red trailer adorned with custom decals and chrome wheels wasn’t just a tool of the trade. Rathbun described it as “priceless,” a birthday gift from a friend that’s been part of his catering operations for more than two decades.
“When I saw the empty space, I knew it was gone,” he said. “It’s frustrating. Definitely a violation.”
Despite having insurance and a backup trailer, Rathbun said the loss of the smoker is deeply personal. “If a young chef had this and they only had one smoker, it could put them out of business.”
The theft is under investigation by the Dallas Police Department, which confirmed a report was filed last Friday. As of Tuesday, no suspects have been identified. Rathbun said he’s working with police to determine if his surveillance cameras captured the theft.
In response, Rathbun initially offered a $1,000 reward for information. Within 24 hours, donations from friends, fans, and fellow foodies raised that figure to more than $11,000.
He’s urging whoever took it to return it.
“Do the right thing,” Rathbun said. “Whether I get the smoker back or not, I have a little more faith in humanity. I’ve sure felt the love from Dallas this past week.”
Despite the setback, Rathbun remains optimistic.
“It’s all good,” he said. “We’re gonna make lemonade out of lemons.”
Anyone with information about the stolen trailer is urged to contact Dallas police or reach out to Rathbun directly through his social media accounts.
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