The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BLOW-OUT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
B
L
O
W
-
O
U
T
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Huge birthday meal?/Deal with the candles" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case huge birthday meal?/deal with the candles = blow-out.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BLOW-OUT mean?
BLOW-OUT noun- A sudden puncturing of a pneumatic tyre/tire.
- A sudden release of oil and gas from a well.
- A social function, especially one with large quantities of food.
- A large or extravagant meal.
- A sporting contest that is decidedly one-sided and whose outcome is no longer in doubt.
- An argument; an altercation.
- A sandy depression in a sand dune ecosystem caused by the removal of sediments by wind.
- An extreme and unexpected increase in costs, such as in government estimates for a project.
- The cleaning of the flues of a boiler from scale, etc., by a blast of steam.
- An unsightly flap of skin caused by an ear piercing that is too large.