I've been part of the Blackstone Griddle Crew for a while now. I've cooked alongside these people in comment sections, tagged them in posts, hyped up their cooks, and had them hype up mine. But until this summer, I had never actually met any of them in person. That changed at the Griddle Crew Summit 2026 in Logan, Utah — and I can honestly say it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Getting There
Logan, Utah is tucked up in Cache Valley, surrounded by mountains that make you feel like you're somewhere out of a movie. The moment I landed and started making my way to the venue, I could already feel the energy. People in Griddle Crew gear, Blackstone hats, and that unmistakable look of someone who takes their flat top seriously. These were my people.
Touring Weber-Blackstone Headquarters
One of the highlights of the entire trip was getting an inside look at the Weber-Blackstone headquarters. Walking through those doors and seeing the operation up close — the engineering, the product development, the sheer scale of what they've built — was something else. This isn't just a griddle company. It's a culture. Standing in front of that iconic Weber|Blackstone sign outside HQ, I had one of those pinch-me moments. Four years ago I was just a guy who bought a Blackstone and started filming himself cook in the backyard. Now I'm standing at the headquarters of the brand that started it all. Wild.
Tacos by Todd Toven
If you know Blackstone, you know Todd Toven. The man is a legend, and getting to eat tacos made by him was an experience I won't forget. We're talking perfectly seasoned meat, fresh toppings, everything coming off the flat top the way only someone who's been doing this for years can pull it off. Every bite was a reminder of why we all fell in love with griddle cooking in the first place. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and a hot flat top. Todd made it look effortless.
Dodgeball Inside HQ
I did not expect to be playing dodgeball inside the Weber-Blackstone headquarters. And yet, there I was — launching rubber balls across the floor of one of the most iconic outdoor cooking companies in the world, laughing harder than I have in a long time. It sounds ridiculous, and it was. But that's exactly the kind of thing that makes the Griddle Crew special. These aren't just content creators or brand ambassadors. They're genuinely fun people who know how to have a good time. The dodgeball game was chaotic, competitive, and absolutely hilarious from start to finish.
Cooking Alongside Fellow Crew Members
The cooking sessions were where everything came together. Getting to stand at a flat top next to people I've only ever seen on a screen — trading tips, riffing on recipes, watching how different people approach the same griddle — was something I've been looking forward to for a long time. There's a shorthand that happens when you cook with people who are as passionate about it as you are. No explanations needed. You just cook. The energy around those griddles was electric, and the food was incredible.
Two Award Nominations
I'm not going to pretend I wasn't floored when I found out I had been nominated for not one but two awards at the Summit. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but being recognized by the Blackstone team and your fellow Crew members in a room full of some of the most talented griddle cooks in the country — that hits different. Whatever happens, the nominations alone mean more than I can put into words. It's validation that what we're doing on the patio is resonating, and that this community sees it.
The Griddle Crew Is a Real Family
Here's the thing I want people to understand about the Blackstone Griddle Crew: it's not a marketing program. It's not a group of influencers going through the motions. It is a genuine, real, deeply connected community of people who share a love of cooking, outdoor life, and bringing people together around food. I've felt that online for years. But being in the same room with these people — laughing, cooking, competing in dodgeball, eating Todd Toven's tacos — confirmed something I already suspected. The Griddle Crew is a real family.
I came home from Logan, Utah with a full stomach, a sore arm from dodgeball, and a heart full of gratitude. Grateful to Blackstone for building something this special. Grateful to every Crew member who made the trip feel like a reunion even though it was our first time meeting. And grateful that a backyard griddle and a camera turned into something that brought me here.
I cannot wait until next year.