Every year, Texas grocer HEB holds a contest to determine the best, most original Texas-made product. The winner receives a large cash prize and a guaranteed spot on HEB shelves.
Now in its 11th year, the Quest for Texas Best competition has selected 10 finalists, half of which are food-related businesses from the North Texas region.
Finalists included blue corn butterscotch pancake mix from Oak Cliff restaurant Encina, sports drinks from Dallas-based HydroNation, chamoy candy from Dallas-based Sarape Treats, frozen naan from Dallas-based Marasi Foods and honey dust from Canton’s Be Kings.
Dallas-based Sarape Treats’ Chamoy Candy is one of 10 finalists in HEB’s 2024 Quest for Texas’ Best competition. (Roxana Ventura)
Of the 10 finalists, four will receive an award. The highest honor is the Grand Prize, which is a check for $25,000. First place receives $20,000, second place receives $15,000 and third place receives $10,000. This year’s winners will be announced at an event on August 9 at Fair Park.
Last year’s grand prize went to PhoLicious, a Houston family-owned company that makes Vietnamese pho kit. The 2023 winner is not from Dallas-Fort Worth.
More than 450 products were judged for the 2024 competition, according to HEB. Since the competition began in 2014, the grocery chain has awarded $2.2 million in prize money to Texas businesses.
Of the thousands of products submitted to the contest over the past decade, more than 1,000 have been carried in HEB stores.
“Small businesses drive innovation and invigorate communities, which is why we’re committed to finding and supporting the best small businesses in Texas,” said James Harris, HE-B’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion. “Every year we’re blown away by the creative products submitted to our contest and look forward to offering these creative products to our shoppers.”
