Seven DFW-area companies named finalists in H-E-B's 'Quest for the Texas Best'

From desserts and dairy to water and spice mixes, CPG companies in the region are month the 20 finalists for H-E-B’s Quest for the Texas Best competition.

Beating out more than 1,200 product applicants, seven North Texas companies are contenders for a grand prize of $25,000, a spot on the shelves of H-E-B stores and the title of “Texas Best.” In all, $70,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs it the annual competition, which will be held Aug. 26 in San Antonio.

“We continue to be amazed at what Texans bring to the table and how their creations are received in stores,” said James Harris, H-E-B’s Director of diversity & inclusion and supplier diversity, in a statement. “The creativity and resiliency of our Lone Star food, and now non-food, creators have elevated this contest with another year of unbelievable stories and products.”

The competition, now in its eighth year, provides exposure and opportunity to fledgling Texas brands that also have production or co-packing facilities in the Lone Star state. This year marks the first the competition has included non-food products like home goods, beauty items and toys. 

A North Texas company hasn’t taken home a prize since the competition’s inaugural run, with Arlington-based frozen fruit bar maker MaxFrut winning the $20,000 Frist Place prize.

Check out this year’s finalist from the DFW region below.

H-E-B has operated locally through its subsidiary brand Central Market, opening six of the 10 brand locations in the region. In June, the company broke ground on its first two DFW locations – one in Frisco and one in Plano – while announcing plans to open a location in McKinney in 2023.

Here’s a full list of the 2021 finalists: