H-E-B named five small businesses the winners of its Quest for Texas Best competition earlier this week at Dallas’ Fair Park, site of the final judging for the statewide competition.
For a decade, H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best competition has scoured the state for the finest local products to sell on its shelves. More than 6,000 products have been highlighted in the competition and more than 990 unique food items, beverages, and general merchandise have achieved shelf placement at H-E-B.
This year's top companies are:
Grand Prize Winner: PhoLicious – Instant Pho, Houston, Texas, which took home $25,000 and one year of free groceries.
First prize: Verdegreens-Farmstand Salad Dressing, Houston, won $20,000.
Second prize (tied): Sweets with L&L – Cotton Candy, Spring Texas, won $15,000.
Second prize (tied): A’Hua! – Sparkling Agua Fresca, Jasper, Texas, won $15,000.
Third prize: Armagh Creamery-Organic Yogurt, won $10,000.
The companies were selected from a group of 10 finalists who were chosen from more than 600 submissions.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Quest for Texas Best, the ten finalists were each surprised with a $10,000 check, bringing the total awarded to the five winners to $85,000 and the overall total to $185,000.
“Once again, we have seen and tasted the best Texans have to offer, and we look forward to adding more Texas-made products to our shelves,” said James Harris, Sr. director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, in a statement. “Today, everyone walked away a winner, and we can’t wait to share with our customers the creative products from these amazing small businesses.”
The judges of the competition were Winell Herron, H-E-B group VP of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs; Mike Jarzombek, H-E-B SVP, sales and marketing, north west food/drug; Esther Castelo, H-E-B SVP eStore operations, curbside/home delivery; Javier Avalos, H-E-B SVP & general manager San Antonio region food/drug; Chef Scott Tompkins, H-E-B culinary development manager; Erin Booke, Dallas Morning News food and entertainment editor; and Chet Garner, creator, host, and executive producer of Texas travel show, The Daytripper.
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