Austin-Area Finalists Announced For HEB Primo Picks Quest For Texas Best Contest
25 top culinary creators from Texas head to Austin finals, compete for $70,000 in prizes
(AUSTIN, TX) – Out of nearly 600 entries, NINE local food artisans have been named finalists in the fourth annual H-E-B Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best search for new and innovative products. The Quest for Texas Best is a signature program for H-E-B’s Primo Picks brand, which labels best-in-store products, all unique, delicious, and new. Since its inception in 2014, the Quest for Texas Best competition has yielded more than 200 new products on H-E-B store shelves across the state.
This year’s contest attracted applicants from more than 200 cities and towns across the Lone Star State, generating a delicious mix of sauces, salsas, spices, sweets, spreads, mixes, and meats. In two qualifying rounds, H-E-B Business Development Managers judged submissions based on taste and flavor, customer appeal, value, uniqueness, market potential, and differentiation from products already available at most H-E-B stores.
“Quest for Texas Best is an extraordinary opportunity for Texans to feature their products on H-E-B store shelves, and for all to explore and enjoy locally sourced products,” said James Harris, H-E-B Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity. “After all, Texas is home to smart, inventive food entrepreneurs and it’s an honor to be on the forefront of their journey to success.”
On August 10 and 11 at Austin’s Central Texas Food Bank, the 25 final contestants will present their creations to a panel of expert judges, who will select four winners based on quality, marketability, and product readiness. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000 and be named a “Texas Best” Primo Pick. First-place will receive $20,000, with $15,000 awarded for second, and $10,000 for third. Each winner will receive placement on H-E-B store shelves and be named an H-E-B Primo Picks product.
Contest finalists include nine entrepreneurs from the Austin area; six from the San Antonio and West Texas areas; one from the Rio Grande area; one from the Dallas area; and eight from the Houston area. Austin-area finalists include:
The Texas Pecan Cake Shop
Like the Lone Star State, Bridget McCoy’s Lorraine’s Original Mini Texas Pecan Cakes are one of a kind. Baked in the iconic shape of Texas from a secret family recipe, it is a pecan lover’s dream. Made with 100% Texas products from local growers, loaded with pecans and held together with just enough flour and sugar, it delivers the wonderful flavor of Mom’s holiday baking that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Every day is a cake day!
Skull & Cakebones
After Sascha Biesi discovered milk and eggs were the cause of her infant daughter’s persistent rash, she began a quest for delicious foods sans the animal products. Enlisting the help of Yauss Berenji, the two built Skull & Cakebones based on friendship, their families’ passion for food and a mission of making delicious desserts without animal products (because if you can, why shouldn’t you?). Using the best local products on hand, Skull & Cakebones presents a truly Texas-strong dessert – Mocha Marmalade Chocolate layered with Cuvee Coffee frosting and topped with Cuvee infused chocolate pudding.
GFY Kitchen
Tim Elias is taking the gluten-free community to a new level of delicious. Perfecting a gluten-free flour blend as a basis for cookies, breads and more, led to an enviable roster of delectable, artisan food options made daily from scratch. Tim’s menu, including the Strawberry Toaster Pie, is free of preservatives and artificial ingredients and enjoys an enthusiastic following, warmed and ala mode.
Damon W Lambert Inc.
Bosses is known for killer pizza, but Laura and Boss Lambert’s family recipe for ranch dressing is about to take over the family business. Bosses Red River Ranch is revolutionizing the condiment kingdom. Made with real mayonnaise and buttermilk, fans claim the balance of flavors and the right amount of heat makes it undeniably addictive. Best when paired with fries, chicken tenders and wings, sandwiches, salads and, of course, pizza.
Cocina 54
Missing friends, family and Argentinian empanadas after emigrating 20 years ago, Cecilia and Federico decided to bring the flavors of their country to the United States. They have created a better-for-you empanada – baked, not fried- that is packed with flavorful fillings, no preservatives and wrapped in a soft, thin, gluten-free crust. They believe empanadas are the new tacos. Cocina 54’s traditional beef empanadas – made with organic beef, sweet onions, tangy olives and hardboiled eggs wrapped in a tapioca-based dough baked to perfection – are sure to stand out in the frozen food aisle.
Bola Pizza
Jamie and Christian Bowers declared war on mediocre frozen pizza in 2011. Armed with a wood-burning oven, an authentic Italian recipe and a dedication to weekly pizza nights, they have transformed the market for at-home pizza with their artisan Bola Frozen Pizzas. By perfecting the process of freezing their extraordinary creations, the Bowers have made it possible for all Texans to enjoy extraordinary pizza made with organic crushed tomato sauce, hormone-free cheeses and top quality local and imported ingredients. Up for consideration – the Bollywood, featuring tikka masala sauce with roasted cauliflower, red onion and mozzarella. Pizza to the people!
Tamale Addiction
Destiny called Adrian and Mariana Paredes in 2010. They answered and unknowingly created a new tamale standard and culture among aficionados. First entering the farmers market circuit with Mexican desserts, they redirected their efforts to tamales. Today, Tamale Addiction is known for being fresh, organic, local and delicious with five versions that include meat, vegetarian, vegan, banana leaf and sweet tamales. By listening to their customers’ demand for an at-home option, they found a way to share their destiny with all of Texas via a two-pack of organic masa tamales filled with strips of roasted poblano pepper, fresh red salsa made from chile de arbol, and melted muenster cheese.
Wander Life
Katherine Waldrip searched the globe (well, almost) for a healthy and travel-friendly dairy alternative to use in coffee, tea, smoothies and more. She came up empty-handed and decided to create her own. Consequently, Wander Life Coconut Creamer was born – a convenient, healthy (all organic ingredients, dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo and vegan), and packaged-for-travel (powdered, shelf stable and portable) dairy alternative. Wander Life Coconut Creamer, specifically the vanilla bean flavor, has now traveled the world with Kat and her husband (Thailand, Vietnam, Arab Emirates, United States Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Mexico and all over the United States!) and as far as Slovenia, France and Nicaragua with their customers!
Ladybird Provisions
Sarah Rioux and Nicole Pinedo are passionate about health and nutrition and enjoy sharing it through a perfect, delicious and healthy cup of butter coffee. Ladybird Provisions’ Coffee Bombs are made with pure, organic ingredients, each serving a purpose for the body and mind that meets the needs of people who are starving for better control of their health. Flavors include Focus (focus + brain function), Happy Cacao (focus + mood elevator), Cacao (a natural mood elevator), Vanilla Thunder (focus + balance), Holy Cacao (focus + metabolism booster + blood sugar stabilizer), and Peace, Love & “Hemp”iness (focus + healthy digestion and a perfect options for vegans).
H-E-B, with sales of more than $23 billion, operates more than 380 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2015. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 100,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com. NOTE: All photos are courtesy of HEB.
