When H-E-B announced its 2022 Quest for Texas Best competition, over 500 Texans submitted innovations from coffee, cleaners and confections, to salsas, salamis and seasonings. The applications were reviewed by the company’s business development and Sourcing Managers for potential placement on store shelves.
This week, H-E-B announced the top 10 contestants who will present their products for final judging on August 24 at Dallas’ Fair Park. The list includes Smokey John’s BBQ Rub from Brent and Juan Reaves of Dallas.
The 2022 Quest for Texas Best finalists are:
- Four Sixes Ranch, Chuck Wagon Chile Mix – Burnett Ranches (Gutherie)
- I Love Chamoy, Chamoy Salsa – Annie Leal (McAllen)
- Lapeyreaux’s, Crawfish Hand Soap/Cleaner – James Lapreyrouse and Chris English (Magnolia)
- Love & Cookies, Frozen Cookie Dough – Ashley Cameron (Lakeway)
- PSR Brands, Patria Energy Drink – Guillermo Amtmann (Houston)
- Puro Gallo Enterprises, Puro Nitro Coffee – Daniel Mezza (San Antonio)
- Smokey John's, Smokey John’s BBQ Rub – Brent and Juan Reaves (Dallas)
- Sweet Boulevard, Japanese Cotton Cheesecake – Manuel Alvarez and Nadia Escalante (Brownsville)
- Texas Iberico, Texas Iberico Charcuterie Meats – Ashly Martin, Sondra Crawford and Tim Harris (Menard)
- ZWITA, Spicy Traditional Harissa – Karim and Mansour Arem (Houston)
Selected by H-E-B, a panel of judges will choose four winning products and award $25,000 to the grand prize winner and the title of “Texas Best”. The Grand Prize winner will also have their product on store shelves.
The first-place winner will receive $20,000, second place will receive $15,000, and third place will receive $10,000.
“At H-E-B, we are always seeking exceptional products to offer our customers and what better place to source them than from our fellow Texans,” James Harris, Sr., Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity for H-E-B, said in the release. “Through the Quest for Texas Best competition, we have the opportunity to witness, taste, and ultimately share amazing Texan-made products with our customers. This innovative program not only lets us offer new and unique products in-store, but it also allows us to support local, small, and diverse businesses.”
In its ninth year, the company said it has expanded its competition to consider products such as beauty items, toys, household necessities, gardening supplies, coolers, and more.
