Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Announces Smoke BBQ Festival Restaurant Lineup; Clay Walker to Headline Music for Father’s Day Weekend
Country Music Star Joins Acclaimed Restaurants from Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama for SEC-Style Culinary Showdown
Austin, Texas (April 27, 2026) — Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is excited to announce the entertainment and restaurant lineup for Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown, the Saturday night tasting event during SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor. The event returns for its second year Father's Day weekend, June 19–20, 2026, at the luxury Texas Hill Country resort.
Country music star Clay Walker, who has racked up more than 30 charted singles and 11 No. 1s over a storied career, will headline Saturday evening's open-air celebration, with Georgia-raised singer-songwriter Channing Wilson starting the night. The two will share the stage alongside nine acclaimed restaurants: GW’s BBQ, Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen and Dayne’s Craft Barbecue representing Texas; Phat Tabbs, Sharp’s BBQ and Countrymen BBQ representing Oklahoma; and Alabama's SAW's BBQ, Rusty's Bar-B-Q and Automatic Seafood and Oysters. The restaurants will compete in a spirited cross-state barbecue showdown featuring live-fire cooking, chef-driven tastings and live music under the Texas Hill Country sky. Early bird tickets are on sale now through May 8 at smokeatbartoncreek.com.
“Last year exceeded every expectation we had for SMOKE, and that only made us more excited for this year,” said Carissa Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing for Omni Barton Creek. “Bringing together the best of Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama barbecue in one place is a pretty rare thing, and watching these teams celebrate their craft alongside Clay Walker on Father's Day weekend in the Texas Hill Country is exactly what this event is all about.”
On Saturday, June 20, the nine restaurants will go head to head in Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown, a lively open-air tasting event, culinary showcase and friendly competition. Guests will experience standout bites, creative sides, desserts and craft cocktails while a panel of judges awards top honors across multiple categories. Walker takes the stage to close out the night, followed by a fireworks finale.
Entertainment
A Texas original, Walker is known for hits including "What's It to You," "Live Until I Die," "Dreaming with My Eyes Open" and "The Chain of Love," and continues to prove his staying power with his latest release, Texas To Tennessee, Show Dog Nashville. Opening the night is Wilson, who has spent two decades earning his place among Nashville's most respected writers, including co-writing Luke Combs' No. 1 hit "She Got the Best of Me." His debut album Dead Man, produced by Grammy Award-winning Dave Cobb, showcases the raw, story-driven country sound that has won him a devoted following.
The performance is part of Omni Hotels & Resorts' Summer Concert Series, held at select properties throughout the summer, bringing together guests of all ages for live performances by award-winning musicians. The series kicks off April 29 at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa during SAVOR, the brand's annual festival of culinary delights and live entertainment, before continuing at Omni Barton Creek during SMOKE. The series is one of several music, culinary and family-driven celebrations Omni is offering this summer as part of America is Calling, its celebration of the country's 250th anniversary.
Participating Restaurants
Team Texas
Led by John Bates of Austin’s Michelin-starred Interstellar BBQ, Team Texas showcases the incredible range of styles across the Lone Star State, from Austin to the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen out of Austin brings a chef-driven, scratch-kitchen approach built on humanely raised Akaushi beef and locally sourced Texas ingredients. At the helm is Geoff Ellis, whose Central Texas roots and Jewish heritage converge in a menu that bridges Texas brisket and New York pastrami. It's earned them a spot on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints, the magazine's No. 1 pastrami ranking, and a place on the Michelin Guide's recommended list in 2025. GW's BBQ in San Juan has rapidly become one of the state's most exciting barbecue destinations under the direction of George Watts III and his father. Ranked No. 5 on Texas Monthly's 50 Best BBQ Joints and named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas, the restaurant blends Central Texas technique with bold Rio Grande Valley flavors. Rounding out Team Texas is Dayne’s Craft Barbecue out of Aledo. What started as a front-yard pop-up has grown into one of the region’s most celebrated pits, ranked No. 7 on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints and recognized by Southern Living as one of the South's best in 2025. Pitmaster Dayne Weaver's traditional Central Texas approach of precise fire control, quality ingredients and 100% Post Oak in strictly offset smokers has built a reputation for standout brisket, house-made sausage and a menu that pushes beyond the basics, making Dayne's a true destination in North Texas.
Team Oklahoma
Team Oklahoma is guided by Food Network Champion Kevin Lee of Birdies by Chef Kevin Lee, known for his creative approach to open-fire cooking and inventive barbecue. Joining the team is Phat Tabb’s out of Idabel, bringing serious culinary credentials to the pit. Led by “Chopped” champion and James Beard Award semifinalist Tabb Singleton, the restaurant is known for a chef-driven style that puts a distinctive spin on Oklahoma barbecue, blending sweetness with classic Texas-style smoke. Sharp’s BBQ, led by pitmaster Logan Sharp, has been smoking professionally for the past eight years. Logan’s passion for barbecue started in his own backyard, cooking for friends and family before turning that love into a business. Raised around whole hog cooks with his dad and uncle, he built his style around low-and-slow cooking, simple ingredients and bold flavor. Logan has also been featured on local programs including Flavor of Oklahoma and Discover Oklahoma. Completing the trio is CountryMen BBQ, the 2025 Oklahoma BBQ Tournament Champions out of Inola. Pitmaster Joe Walton smokes over post oak on Tulsa-made Hasty Bake grills, while his mother and two nieces make all the sides and desserts — all in the backyard barbecue spirit he and his wife, Shelby, built from the ground up when they converted a Main Street Kwik-Lube into a community barbecue destination in 2022.
Team Alabama
Making its SMOKE debut, Team Alabama is led by Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, a world champion pitmaster and one of the most respected figures in Southern barbecue. Together, the team’s three restaurants prove there's more than one way to do Southern barbecue. SAW's BBQ, a Birmingham institution founded by the late Mike Wilson and now carried on by his family, brings its legendary Southern-style smoked meats and Alabama white sauce. It’s been recognized by Men's Journal, Southern Living and Garden & Gun as one of the best barbecue spots in America. Rusty's Bar-B-Q out of Leeds brings a rare combination of classical culinary training and deep-rooted barbecue tradition. Owner Rusty Tucker studied at Johnson & Wales before returning to Alabama to slow-smoke meats over hickory in a brick pit the old-fashioned way, earning recognition from Food & Wine as one of the best BBQ spots in the state and a devoted following. Rounding out the team is Automatic Seafood and Oysters, chef Adam Evans' acclaimed Birmingham restaurant known for blending fine dining with a welcoming atmosphere and Gulf Coast-inspired seafood. They’re also no strangers to the barbecue scene, with Evans and his long time collaborator, Lauren Hirschberg, as part of the team that took home Grand Champion and World Championship Ribs from the Memphis in May World BBQ Championship in 2023.
About the Full Weekend
Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown is one of two events taking place over SMOKE weekend. The festivities kick off Friday, June 19, with Legends of the Flame: VIP Dinner Experience, an exclusive multicourse dinner hosted by headlining chefs Bates, Lee and Lilly, alongside Omni Barton Creek Executive Chef Herve Cuyeu. Guests will enjoy elevated barbecue dishes paired with curated wines and bourbons, with live music on the Sound Stage presented by Big Hat Spirits by Texas musician Jade Marie Patek and chef storytelling rounding out the evening.
SMOKE welcomes families to join in the fun. During the VIP Dinner Experience on Friday, young foodies ages 4 to 12 can participate in Barton’s Kid Zone: Lil’ Pitmasters Camp for $60 per child. This supervised program offers a kid-friendly dinner, cookie decorating, artistry aprons crafts, and interactive games so the whole family can enjoy the evening. On Saturday, children ages 3 to 12 are welcome at the Barbecue Showdown for $72 per ticket, while children ages 2 and under are admitted free with an adult attendee. Please note that Saturday’s event is adult-forward in nature.
Event Details
Legends of the Flame: VIP Dinner Experience
Friday, June 19, 2026 | 6 to 10 p.m.
Tickets: $350 per person; early bird pricing of $315 per person (10% off) available through May 8.
Masters of the Flavor: Barbecue Showdown
Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $179 per person; early bird pricing of $161 per person (10% off) available through May 8.
Bundle tickets for both events are available for $479, saving $50 off individual ticket prices. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit smokeatbartoncreek.com. For more information on Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa or to make room reservations, visit omnibartoncreek.com.
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About Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa combines authentic Texas hospitality with world-class amenities in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, just 20 minutes from downtown Austin. The resort features 493 freshly designed 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 infinity pool with breathtaking Hill Country views. The resort offers a variety of unique dining experiences ranging from an acclaimed steakhouse to casual poolside fare, along with Latin American cuisine, healthy Texas-inspired dishes, and craft cocktails. Recognized globally as one of the top resort destinations by Conde Nast Traveler, Omni Barton Creek is the ultimate blend of luxury, leisure, and Texas charm. For more information, please visit omnibartoncreek.com and follow along on Instagram at @omnibartoncreek.
About Clay Walker
Clay Walker stands as a towering figure in country music, his illustrious career marked by multi-PLATINUM sales, 11 chart-topping hits and 40 singles on the charts. His songs, including classics like "If I Could Make A Living" and "She Won’t Be Lonely Long," resonate deeply, etching his name into the fabric of the genre. In 1996, Walker faced a new battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but rather than yielding to its challenges, he emerged as a fierce advocate and fundraiser, establishing The Clay Walker Foundation to support those affected by the disease. Each year, the Clay Walker Charity Classic at Pebble Beach shines a light on his tireless efforts, raising awareness and funds for MS research. His February single, “Cowboys in Heaven,” beautifully captures his journey in country music, evoking both nostalgia and reflection over his 30+ year career. Last year, he dropped “I Know She Hung The Moon,” originally written and released by friend and late musician, Toby Keith. His latest album, Texas To Tennessee, soared to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Albums chart, drawing inspiration from legends including George Jones, James Taylor and Bob Seger. He recently headlined Ryman Auditorium for the first time in his career, performing to a sold-out crowd and is scheduled to play major festivals including Tortuga, Boots In The Park, and more. A member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Walker continues to captivate audiences nationwide, gracing stages with his electrifying performances, and is currently on his headlining “Doin’ What I Love,” tour. He also plans to release new music this year. For more information and to stay up-to-date, visit ClayWalker.com.