AUSTIN, Texas -- For those who maybe opted to stay out of the kitchen this Thanksgiving, local restaurants were there to serve up a traditional meal. But sometimes, traditional isn't for everyone.
- Omni Barton Creek Thanksgiving buffet defies tradition
- Included coastal selections, mac & cheese bar, donut station
- About 600 families attended
Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa Thursday held its annual Thanksgiving buffet, featuring coastal selections, a mac & cheese bar, even a decorate-your-own-donut station.
"We turned it into our Thanksgiving brunch extravaganza," said Omi Assistant Food and Beverage Director Cesar Matus.
The Omni's outdoor pavilion was bustling with around 600 families getting together for the special holiday.
"They want to be part of family, they want us to do their home cooking and this is what we want to provide. We want to provide that service and that comfort that makes them feel that they're at home," Matus said.
The Wester family, who lives in Barton Creek, are members at the resort and have made the brunch a part of their tradition.
"Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that we all celebrate together. Over the years, brothers and sisters have been moving around the country, but we all try to get together for Thanksgiving Day to be thankful for all the blessings that we've had," John Wester said. "After our parents died, we made a commitment to ourselves that we would all get together.:
This is the family's sixth or seventh time at the Omni for the buffet. Wester said he recently retired after 50 years in the Japanese restaurant business, so it was nice to have the cooking done for him for a change.
Families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas, in this image from November 28, 2019. (Stacy Rickard/Spectrum News)
"The buffet is always perfect, this year is absolutely excellent," Wester said. "That's a king crab leg. It's from Alaska. If you're in the Japanese restaurant business, you gotta like seafood. The prime rib was amazing. And that's tradition for us as well, so is the turkey and dressing. But we love seafood. It's always perfect. And this year is absolutely excellent."
But this meal was extra special for their 22 Wester family members in attendance, because it was also a gender reveal party.
"My daughter, not only is she going to announce she's pregnant, she's gonna tell us whether it's a boy or a girl. She's gonna tell us what my new granddaughter is gonna be, I'm hoping," Wester joked.
Every Thanksgiving, the Omni hopes to make the brunch even bigger and better. And as for the Wester family, next Thanksgiving, they'll be joined by a new baby girl.