Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Announces Pitmasters John Bates, Kevin Lee and Chris Lilly to Headline “Smoke: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor”

Tickets Now on Sale for Omni Barton Creek’s Father’s Day Weekend Barbecue Showdown

AUSTIN, Texas (March 23, 2026) — Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is thrilled to announce the return of SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor, a two-day barbecue event taking place June 19-20, 2026, atthe luxury Texas Hill Country resort. Early bird tickets are now on sale for the Father’s Day-weekendevent, which brings together award-winning pitmasters, standout restaurants and live music for a weekendof chef-driven dinners, live-fire cooking demonstrations and open-air barbecue tastings. Now in its secondyear, SMOKE expands beyond last year’s Texas vs. Oklahoma rivalry to welcome Alabama into the mix,creating an SEC-style culinary showdown that highlights the distinct barbecue traditions of all three regions.

Headlining this year’s event are John Bates, Chef and Pitmaster of Austin, Texas’ Michelin-starred InterStellar BBQ; Kevin Lee, Food Network Champion and Chef-owner of Birdies by Chef Kevin Lee in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Chris Lilly, the five-time world champion Pitmaster of Alabama’s legendary Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2025. The chefs will be joined byHerve Cuyeu, Executive Chef at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

“SMOKE celebrates the spirit of barbecue—bringing people together through incredible food, tradition anda little friendly rivalry,” said Todd Raessler, Regional Vice President of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.“Welcoming Alabama alongside Texas and Oklahoma lets us showcase a truly unique range of barbecue,and there's no better occasion for it than Father's Day weekend in the Texas Hill Country.

Events include:

Legends of the Flame: VIP Dinner Experience
Friday, June 19, 2026 | 6 - 10 PM
Friday kicks off with Legends of the Flame, an exclusive VIP dinner hosted by Chefs Bates, Lee, Lilly andCuyeu. The multicourse dinner highlights each chef’s approach to barbecue. Guests will begin the eveningwith cocktail hour before enjoying a collaborative tasting menu featuring elevated barbecue dishes pairedwith curated wines and bourbons. The intimate evening will also feature live music by Texas musician Jade Marie Patek and storytelling from the chefs as they share the inspiration and traditions behind theirculinary styles.

Tickets for the VIP dinner are $350 per person, with early bird pricing of $315 per person available forpurchases made by April 30.

Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown
Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
The celebration continues Saturday evening with Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown, a livelyopen-air tasting event, culinary showcase and friendly competition. Nine top restaurants from acrossTexas, Oklahoma and Alabama will serve standout bites alongside creative sides, desserts and craftcocktails. The evening also features live music, with the full lineup of performers to be announced closer tothe event. Guests can sip, dine and enjoy the live music before the night concludes with an epic fireworksfinale over the Texas Hill Country.

Participating restaurants and judges for Saturday’s event will be announced soon. Tickets for the showcaseare $179 per person, with early bird pricing of $161 per person available for purchases made by April 30.

Guests can also purchase tickets to both events as a bundle for $479, saving $50 off individual ticket prices.

Meet the Chefs

John Bates
InterStellar BBQ
With nearly 30 years of experience as a cook and hospitality professional, John Bates is the chef and firetender at InterStellar BBQ—and the force behind some of Austin's most beloved concepts, includingYellow Bell Tacos, Deft Pies, The Noble Pig and Noble Catering. He opened InterStellar BBQ in February2019, cooking low and slow over post oak, and the accolades followed swiftly. Texas Monthly rankedInterStellar BBQ among the top 10 on its prestigious “50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas” list in both 2021 and2025, including a No. 2 ranking in 2021 and a No. 6 ranking in 2025. In 2024, the restaurant was awardeda Michelin star, making it one of only a handful of American-style barbecue joints in the world to earn thatdistinction. At InterStellar BBQ, Bates celebrates the flavors and history of Texas barbecue, carrying thattradition to Team Texas at SMOKE.

Kevin Lee
Birdies by Chef Kevin
LeeChef Kevin Lee represents a culinary force in Oklahoma's dining scene as a 2025 James Beard FoundationAward semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. The renowned chef and Food Network Champion from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is known for pushing the boundaries of flavor while honoring his KoreanAmerican roots through his creative approach to open-fire cooking and inventive barbecue. He hascompeted on numerous shows, including "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing," "Bobby’s Triple Threat," "BeatBobby Flay," "Alex vs. America," "Guy's Grocery Games," "Wildcard Kitchen” and "Tournament ofChampions," building a loyal following and earning national media acclaim. He now owns Birdies by ChefKevin Lee, a modern Korean steakhouse in Oklahoma, where his passion for blending heritage withinnovation continues to make waves across the culinary world. He recently opened a new modern Koreanrestaurant called MAHT. Lee brings the heat and a whole new flavor perspective to Team Oklahoma.

Chris Lilly
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Chef Lilly is a barbecue legend and 4th-generation owner of the iconic Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q inDecatur, Alabama. As head chef and pitmaster, he leads the restaurant’s competition team, boasting 18World BBQ Championships and a record 5 Memphis in May World Grand Championships. A Barbecue Hallof Fame inductee and recipient of the Legends of Barbecue Pitmaster Award, Lilly has won titles includingthe American Royal International Invitational and International Jamaican Barbecue Championship, earningrecognition as “King of the Smokers.” He has shared his expertise at events like Pork Summit at theCulinary Institute of America and the Low-Country & Caribbean Food Conference, and has appeared twiceat the James Beard Foundation. Author of BIG BOB GIBSON’S BBQ BOOK and FIRE & SMOKE: A Pitmaster’sSecrets, he serves as a national spokesperson for Kingsford Charcoal, a Yeti ambassador, and caters privateevents for companies like Nissan, NASCAR, and Microsoft, bringing his legendary open-fire flavors toaudiences nationwide.

Herve Cuyeu
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Chef Herve Cuyeu brings more than two decades of experience to the resort’s food and beverageprogram. A native of Bordeaux, France, Cuyeu developed his passion for cooking in his mother’s kitchenbefore formally training at the Lycée d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme de Gascogne. Known for blending classictechnique with modern creativity, he has held leadership roles at luxury destinations including WaldorfAstoria, Loews Hotels, The Drake Hotel and Sheraton San Diego Resort, most recently serving at OmniScottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. At Omni Barton Creek, Cuyeu oversees the culinary direction forthe resort’s nine dining venues and Barton Creek Country Club, creating experiences that celebrate theamazing flavors of the Texas Hill Country.

For those traveling with children, SMOKE welcomes families to join in the fun. During the VIP DinnerExperience on Friday, June 19, young foodies ages 4 to 12 can participate in Barton’s Kid Zone: LilPitmasters Camp for $60 per child. This supervised program offers a kid-friendly dinner, interactive gamesand hands-on activities so the whole family can enjoy the evening. On Saturday, June 20, children ages 3-12 are welcome at the Barbecue Showdown for $72 per ticket, while children ages two and under areadmitted free with an adult attendee. Please note that Saturday’s event is adult-forward in nature.

For more information on SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor, visit smokeatbartoncreek.com. Formore information on Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa or to make room reservations, visit omnibartoncreek.com.

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Media Contact: Giant Noise | [email protected]

Property Contact: Heather Hagelberger | [email protected]

About Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

 Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa combines authentic Texas hospitality with world-class amenities in theheart of the Texas Hill Country, just 20 minutes from downtown Austin. The resort features 493 freshlydesigned guest rooms and suites; four championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw,and Arnold Palmer; the rejuvenating Mokara Spa; and multi-tiered pools, including an adults-only infinitypool with breathtaking Hill Country views. The resort offers a variety of unique dining experiences rangingfrom an acclaimed steakhouse to casual poolside fare, along with Latin American cuisine, healthy Texasinspired dishes, and craft cocktails. Recognized globally as one of the top resort destinations by Conde NastTraveler, Omni Barton Creek is the ultimate blend of luxury, leisure, and Texas charm. For moreinformation, please visit omnibartoncreek.com and follow along on Instagram at @omnibartoncreek.