A custom-built smoker trailer belonging to celebrated Dallas chef Kent Rathbun has been stolen, sparking an outpouring of support from the local community.
Rathbun, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, says the bright red, 18-foot trailer—worth around $27,000—was stolen 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, cooked for thousands, traveled the country. It’s like my baby.”
The trailer, outfitted with chrome wheels and custom decals, was more than a piece of equipment. It was a gift from a friend and a fixture in Rathbun’s catering business for over 20 years. He described it as “priceless.”
“When I saw the empty space, I knew it was gone,” he said. “It’s frustrating. Definitely a violation.”
Although the chef has insurance and a backup smoker, he says the loss still cuts deep. “If a young chef had this and only one smoker, it could put them out of business.”
The Dallas Police Department confirmed that a theft report was filed on Friday. As of Tuesday, no suspects had been identified. Rathbun said he is reviewing footage to see whether nearby surveillance cameras caught the theft in progress.
Initially, Rathbun offered a $1,000 reward for information. Within 24 hours, that number ballooned to over $11,000 thanks to donations from friends, fans, and fellow members of the food community.
He’s hopeful the trailer will be returned.
“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.”
Still, he’s choosing to stay positive.
“It’s all good,” he said. “We’re gonna make lemonade out of lemons.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dallas police or reach out to Rathbun.
If you have information call 214.704.0907
