Texas barbecue specialist Dick Reno will take over the Mariners’ Club today for a home town homage to the Super Bowl.

Mr Reno, of the Smokin’ Barrel on Front Street, is creating traditional Superbowl snacks in the run-up to the clash between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in his home patch of Houston, Texas.

He said: “We’re aiming to have a big party from 2pm until the game starts at 7.30pm and continue on.”

The Smokin’ Barrel will provide barbecue, tacos, nachos and wings, as well as outside games for entertainment.

Mr Reno said: “We’re going to do a repeat of last year — we had a really good turnout then and we want to see if we can do it again.”

He added: “It’s better than going and sitting in a pub all day. It brings a lot of people together. Everybody last year seemed to enjoy it.”

Mr Reno, who last year top prize in the City Food Festival in Hamilton, said: “It’s a way of getting people to do something different and they don’t have to cook for themselves.

“They can even come by, buy some food and walk away — it’s not just for football fans.”