In the heart of the Smoky Mountains, where woodsmoke drifts down through the valleys, you’ll find a man who knows fire better than most. Ben Hooper has spent his life standing face-to-face with flames — first as a firefighter, and now as the pitmaster behind Bens Backdraft Barbecue.

Barbecue, for Ben, is more than food. It’s family, faith, and fire woven together in every rack of ribs, every slice of brisket, every pulled pork sandwich. The same discipline that keeps him steady on the fireline guides him at the pit: patience, timing, and respect for the flame.

The name Backdraft isn’t just about firefighting — it’s a reminder that both fire and barbecue demand respect. Out of that comes something worth sharing with the community he loves.
 

From small-town festivals to feeding entire football teams before rivalry games, Bens Backdraft Barbecue has grown into more than a restaurant. It’s a place of connection. A place where families gather, friends linger, and stories are told over plates of smoky goodness.

And at the center of it all is Ben — a firefighter, a pitmaster, a family man who cooks not just to serve meals, but to serve people. Every plate tells his story: a story of smoke, soul, and service.