Stuff your face and win free sushi for a year!

Ever been so hungry when you went out for sushi that you swore you could eat everything on the menu? On April 7th you have the chance to test your theory! All five RA Sushi locations will be holding a Sushi Showdown sushi eating competition. One winner from each location will be awarded with a delicious prize: free sushi for a whole year!

Head over to your local RA Sushi where the contest will be held from 3pm to 6pm. Following the lead from college basketball, the competition will be organized in a bracket system. The first round will include two heats of 12 competitors. Contestants will have three minutes to consume as many uncut Tootsy Makis as possible. The Tootsy Maki is comprised of kani kama crab mix, shrimp and cucumber rolled and topped with those tasty crunchy tempura bits. The top three competitors from each heat will advance to the championship round. Six finalists will advance to the championship Sushi Showdown, during which they will eat as many Tootsy Makis as they can in five minutes.

You won’t just get to say that you stuffed yourself full of some great sushi — if you are the last one standing you will win RA Sushi for one year (in the form of 12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates – a $600 value). The second place winner will receive a $100 RA Sushi gift certificate, third place will receive a $50 RA Sushi gift certificate, and fourth place will win a $25 RA Sushi gift certificate. All Sushi Showdown participants will receive a RA Sushi sweatband, plus a complimentary appetizer or lunch card good for use on a return visit.  The Sushi Showdown is limited to the first 24 entries per location, and applications are available at any Valley RA Sushi location. The deadline to register is April 4th, and all competitors must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Not up for the challenge but interested to see what it takes to win? All ages are welcome to attend the event and cheer on the competitors, while enjoying food and drink specials. Try the Tokyo Tussle Roll ($7), cucumber and shrimp wrapped in rice and seaweed, topped with spicy shrimp, or order the Throwdown Roll ($6), cucumber and spicy tuna wrapped in rice and seaweed, topped with red tempura bits. Wash down the sushi specials with a Free Throw Bomb (Kirin or Kirin Light) for $5 and add hot sake for $1. Keep the energy level amped up with a Half Court Bomb ($6), which is Red Bull and a choice of cherry, grape or mango vodka or Jägermeister, or try the Rim “RA”cker ($7), a cocktail mixed with Red Bull and Skyy Vodka.

Those still hungry for more after the Sushi Showdown can enjoy RA Sushi’s Flying Fish Lounge specials starting at 8 p.m. During the Flying Fish Lounge, more 35 sushi, appetizer, and tapas selections range from $2.25 to $7.25, plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails are offered from $3 to $7.

Sign up for the Sushi Showdown or cheer on the competitors at any one of five Valley RA Sushi locations:

• Ahwatukee: 4921 E. Ray Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 85044. Call 480-940-1111.
• North Scottsdale: Kierland Commons, 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85254. Call 480-951-5888.
• Tempe: 411 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, Ariz., 85281. Call 480-303-9800.
• Mesa: Dana Park, 1652 S. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, Ariz., 85204. Call 480-632-9500.
• Old Town Scottsdale: 3815 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85251. Call 480-990-9256.

For more information, visit RA Sushi on Facebook.