Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa has announced the return of SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor, a two day barbecue event happening June 19 and 20 in the Texas Hill Country. Now in its second year, the event expands beyond last year’s Texas versus Oklahoma format and brings Alabama into the mix, setting up a full blown regional showdown built around smoke, fire, and a little friendly rivalry.

Headlining this year’s lineup is a stacked roster of pitmasters. John Bates of InterStellar BBQ represents Austin with Michelin level credibility and a reputation for doing things the right way. Chef Kevin Lee of Birdies brings Oklahoma into the conversation with a modern Korean influenced approach to barbecue that leans creative without losing the fundamentals. Then there’s Chris Lilly, a name that carries weight in barbecue circles, with multiple world championships and a legacy tied to Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.

FRIDAY NIGHT (June 19th) kicks things off with Legends of the Flame, a VIP dinner that leans more chef driven than backyard cookout. Expect a multi course experience, cocktails, wine and bourbon pairings, plus live music and storytelling from the chefs themselves. Tickets are priced at 350 dollars, with early bird pricing available at 315 through April 30.

SATURDAY (June 20th) shifts into a bigger, more energetic format with Masters of the Flavor, an open air tasting event featuring nine restaurants from Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Guests can move through stations, try standout dishes, sip cocktails, and settle in for live music before the night closes with a fireworks show over the Hill Country. Tickets for Saturday are 179 dollars, with early pricing at 161.

For those going all in, a bundled ticket option is available for 479, knocking 50 dollars off the combined price of both events.

Families are also part of the equation this year. A Lil Pitmasters Camp will run alongside Friday’s dinner for kids ages 4 to 12, while Saturday’s event offers ticketed access for younger guests, making this one of the few high level food events that doesn’t completely shut out families.

What: SMOKE A Celebration of Fire and Flavor
Where: Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX
When: June 19 and June 20, 2026
Tickets: Early bird pricing available through April 30 at smokeatbartoncreek.com