A beloved vegan business in Salt Lake City, UT has suffered a devastating fire that left the chef with serious injuries and the restaurant destroyed. But the team behind Blatch’s Backyard BBQ isn’t giving up. They’re on a mission to rebuild—and here’s how you can help.
How Blatch’s Backyard BBQ became a Salt Lake City vegan hot spot
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christopher Blatchford, a talented chef and barbecue enthusiast, had an idea: why not start selling vegan barbecue from his own home? After all, he’d been bringing his plant-based brisket to friends’ cookouts, and it was always a hit.
“Utah passed a regulation that allows home chefs to sell their offerings, assuming they get all the proper licenses and certifications,” he told Voyage Utah in 2023. “I thought this would be a small side hustle. I never imagined I’d be converting my 1800s home into a VBQ take-out restaurant.”
Blatch’s Backyard BBQ
In 2021, Blatch’s Backyard BBQ was born, becoming Utah’s first-ever vegan barbecue restaurant. Since then, Blatchford has served up everything from Mac Daddy brisket to platters of juicy, tender homemade vegan meats alongside sides like poblano potato salad, Cuban barbecue beans, and purple citrus slaw to his eager, hungry customers.
“My goal is for people to not care if it’s vegan or classic, all I want is for it to taste good and for people to enjoy it,” he said. “If I can do it without harming the animals and still honor the classic barbecue process and flavor, why not?”
Tragedy strikes Blatch’s Backyard BBQ
On September 3, tragedy struck the plant-based business when Blatchford passed out during a Type 1 diabetic low-blood sugar episode. The chef had been preparing barbecue at the time, and a fire broke out, leaving him with second-degree burns. The fire was contained within 20 minutes, but 80 percent of the restaurant’s equipment was destroyed.
Blatch’s Backyard BBQ
Rebuilding Utah’s first vegan barbecue restaurant
Now, Blatch’s Backyard BBQ is asking for help to rebuild Blatchford’s dream so the restaurant can continue serving up delicious vegan barbecue to Salt Lake City diners.
“Now, more than ever, [Blatch’s Backyard BBQ needs] us,” reads a GoFundMe set up by Travis Richards on behalf of Blatchford. “Your generous support will help rebuild the kitchen, purchase new equipment, and restore this innovative spot that brings people together (and makes us rethink vegan BBQ).”
Right now, the GoFundMe has raised more than $41,800 for the business, and is aiming to reach $200,000. “Let’s help Chris, his team, and our community restaurant rise from these ashes—stronger than ever,” the fundraiser continues.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
