HOUSTON, TX - Houston staple and iconic Third Ward smokehouse, Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack kick-offs Memorial Day weekend with a Grand-Opening celebration and the launch of their first BBQ Food Challenge! This celebration and 5-pound smoked enthused eating competition is slated for Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. outside of their new location, 3929 Old Spanish Trail | Houston, TX. 77021.

The event will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. with City of Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins, guests City officials, family, friends and owners of Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack, Ray Busch, Maxine Davis and former NFL player Herb Taylor who will be presented with a City of Houston proclamation and then will officially cut the red-ribbon to the new restaurant just before kicking off the 5-pound Food Challenge.

The 5 participants will be judged by Original Texan Chester Pitts, Legendary Ballerina Lauren Anderson and Houston Texans DJ Reader. This free event will challenge five barbecue-crazed enthusiasts to stretch their stomachs to maximum capacity while enjoying the succulent flavors of Ray's BBQ Shack. Partakers will have 45 minutes to consume a barbecue platter containing a ½ rack of ribs, ½ chicken, brisket, sausage, fried corn on the cob, baked beans, spicy rice, fries, and an extra-large strawberry lemonade. The winner will have their photo placed on the Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack Wall of Fame with the featured celebrity judges and host; receive a free Ray's BBQ Shack t-shirt and a grand prize valued at $250.00! Hundreds are expected to line the building to not only take in the competition, but to also place their BBQ order.

The family-filled event will consist of free give-aways, games, Face-Painter for the kids and the same smoked BBQ.

There are several different varieties of BBQ eating challenges all around the world, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Even though there are multiple variations that maybe encountered, the basic strategy that should remain similar for every situation. Per food challenge columnist Randy Santel, the most successful BBQ eating competitors have used the following tips:

Prepared by increasing their stomach capacity

Broke down and analyzed the challenge components

Ate meats and proteins first, and then carbohydrates

Kept track of the challenge time

Started off eating as quickly as possible

Took small bites to eat more efficiently

If there were multiple meats, ate the toughest ones first

Used sauces to mix up the flavor and drinks to help consume dry meats

For more information about Ray's BBQ Shack, please follow the flavor on Facebook and Instagram @RaysBBQShack and @RaysBBQ1 on Twitter. For a full menu of Ray's BBQ Shack signature dishes, please visit www.raysbbqshack.com.