Dripping Spring Company Makes It Into HEB’s “Quest For Texas Best” Finalists

HOUSTON, TX – H-E-B has scoured the Lone Star State in search of the most delectable culinary creations from talented Texans during the company’s annual Quest for Texas Best competition.

After tasty deliberations, 20 finalists with a flair for food were selected out of more than 824 entrepreneurs from 136 cities and towns across the state.

The finalists will showcase their products on August 7-8 before a panel of judges at the Houston Food Bank to stake a winning claim in the sixth annual competition.

“Since its inception in 2014, our sourcing team has sifted through more than 3,000 products in the Quest for Texas Best competition. This contest has yielded nearly 450 unique products worthy of company-wide distribution and awarded nearly $400,000 in prize money,” said James Harris, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, H-E-B. “We continue to be amazed at what Texans bring to the table and how their creations are received in stores.”

The top 20 finalists in the 2019 competition will present their creations to a panel of expert judges who will select four winners based on quality, marketability and product readiness.

Winners will receive a combined $70,000 in cash prizes and sought-after space on H-E-B shelves. H-E-B will award the Grand Prize winner $25,000, the coveted title of “Texas Best” Primo Pick and placement on store shelves; the first-place winner $20,000; the second-place winner $15,000; and the third-place winner $10,000.

This year’s competition generated a delicious mix of brats, brittle, sauces, and pickles, mixes, mixers, cookies and crickets.

Throughout two qualifying rounds, H-E-B Business Development Managers selected submissions 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 a signature program for H-E-B’s Primo Picks brand, which labels best-in-store products that are all unique, delicious, and new. H-E-B Primo Picks invites customers to enjoy products that are unique, delicious, and possibly new to their palates.

As part of H-E-B’s commitment to providing local product options, H-E-B is the State’s largest marketer of the “GO TEXAN” logo with over 7,685 SKUS locally produced items on our shelves of which over 1,000 are Own Brand.

2019 H-E-B QUEST FOR TEXAS BEST TOP 20 FINALISTS

CENTRAL REGION – AUSTIN

Smokey Denmark Sausage Company – Austin
Jonathan and Melissa Pace
smokeydenmark.com

In 1964, Albert C. “Smokey” Denmark and his wife opened their original meat market in Austin, Texas, with only two sausage recipes and the belief that making sausage is just about the most noble cause that man can pursue. Jonathan and Melissa Pace have continued the pursuit since 1999 using Smokey’s time-honored recipes and methods, passed down from the man himself. Motivated to enhance the brand, the Paces now boast 32 products free from nitrite, gluten and MSG and with the same flavors generations have loved for more than 50 years. The company’s newest offering, Big Bark Beer Brats, are a redux of the traditional German fare, this time with Live Oak Big Bark Beer.

Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle – Austin
Courtney Ray Goodson
unclerayspeanutbrittle.com

Courtney Ray Goodson’s Great Uncle Ray perfected his peanut brittle over the span of 35 years. It was his secret to charming just about everyone west of the Mississippi, creating community with every bite.  He shared his secret with Goodson over coffee, laughter and morning talks about life and brittle. Goodson was a quick study. As she left for a stint in the Peace Corps, she enlisted Uncle Ray to send brittle, which was skillfully used to make friends in her new community in the South Pacific. She started making it herself to crowdfund a local woman’s start-up business in turn, starting her own. Goodson has since given the classic southern treat a boost, creating eight flavors handmade with wholesome ingredients and NO high fructose corn syrup, additives, GMOs or gluten. Made with some big Texas hair (covered with hair nets always), big Texas dreams, and a big strong arm that stirs with love and helps our neighbors along the way, the lineup includes: Bacon Pecan (for the foodies), Butternut (for the peanut lovers), Pecan (a top seller) and classic Peanut Brittle (for the Golden Gals [& Guys] of the world).

Push Water Company – Dripping Springs
Matt Allison
drinkpush.com

Push was originally founded to fuel Matt Allison’s Austin-based tech company, TrendKite. The company had, what seemed like, every energy drink and coffee beverage imaginable available to his staff of 250. Drinking too little water and needing just a little bit more caffeine, Allison decided to make caffeinated water and bring it into the office. Problem solved and a new business born. Officially launching in January 2019, Push Water is already healthily fueling many in Austin’s technology sector along with local athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The water is locally sourced from America’s second largest aquifer in Elgin, Texas; lightly caffeinated with all-natural coffee beans creating the same caffeine content as a quarter cup of coffee or half a can of soda; and enriched with electrolytes and oxygen. Packaged in BPA free bottles sans sugar, chemicals or calories, Push Water is suitable to drink all day and all night.

EXO – Austin
Mohammed Ashour
exoprotein.com

Aspire Food Group was founded in 2014 after a group of students, led by co-founder and CEO Mohammed Ashour, competed in and were awarded the Hult Prize, widely considered the largest and most prestigious business prize in the world. Headquartered in the heart of Texas, Aspire farms crickets and converts them into sustainable, organic, non-GMO functional ingredients to manufacture its delicious line of sustainable EXO Whole Roasted Crickets and Protein Bars. Aspire’s highly advanced indoor vertical cricket farming operation is an agricultural breakthrough that has the potential to address food insecurity for millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Basia’s Pickles – Hutto
Barbara Marynowski’s
basiaspickles.com

Barbara Marynowski’s Basias Pickles, born in Detroit and perfected in Texas, are a combination of classic and sweet, with a unique pioneering essence. Her fans have been known to proclaim her pickles the best they have ever tasted – a tasty experience with endless pairing possibilities. What started as a gift given to family and friends around the holidays, slowly grew into a passion to achieve the American dream. So far, the dream has yielded the handmade, small-batch Original, the Texas Heat, the Classic Garlic Dill, Yellow Squash Relish and Pink Pickled Onions.

CENTRAL REGION – DALLAS

EVOKE – Woodway
Derrick Newball
drinkevoke.com

Fruit of Life’s story began seven years ago and 1,769 miles away with a dream to create a company capable of producing healthy drinks from coconuts using the entire fruit. Founder, Derrick Newball, bottled raw coconut water; handcrafted coconut milk soaps from the coconut pulp; and composted the coconut shells to create fertilizer for his coconut farm. But he knew there was more. There was a health and wellness revolution in the beverage industry and he wanted in. After four years of exploring consumer taste preferences and trying new ingredients to leverage their original coconut water, they created EVOKE.  As one of the first drinks to capitalize on the collagen trend with a beverage that not only tastes great but has numerous benefits for skin, hair, joints and bones. EVOKE comes in three delicious flavors – coconut, mandarin coconut and pineapple coconut.

To the Moon Family Foods Company – Atlanta
Kay York and Joan Reece
tothemoonfamilyfoods.com

To the Moon Family Foods’ Original Nutty-Carrot Spread is the newest crowd-pleaser from this northeast Texas town. Made with carrots, pecans and mouthwatering spices, its unique flavor matches its addictive appeal. There are endless ways to enjoy the spread – on a sandwich; as a stuffing for baked chicken; as a dip; as a topping for pork or fish; or rolled in balls, coated with breadcrumbs and fried. No matter how you choose to indulge, creators Kay York and Joan Reece hope you spread it with love.

All Y’alls Foods – Aubrey
Brett Christoffel
itsjerkyyall.com

All Y’alls Foods was created to offer amazingly tasty, plant-based versions of snacks traditionally made from animals. It’s Jerky Y’all, the company’s clean-protein jerky, is cholesterol-free and offers more iron, magnesium, calcium, and protein than beef itself. Creator Brett Christoffel is focused on those folks who don’t yet realize the protein found in meat comes from the plants the animal has eaten. With All Y’alls Foods, he hopes to share how simple and beneficial it is to cut out the middle critter. It’s Jerky Ya’ll comes in three flavors inspired by the Lone Star state’s special features – Black Pepper & Sea Salt, (Texas Gulf Coast); Prickly Pear Teriyaki, (Texas prairies and lakes); and Prickly Pear Chipotle (South Texas plains). The recipes are clean, vegan and vegetarian, gluten and GMO free.

Lips Smackers – Cedar Hill
Wilford Leonard
lips-smackers.com

Growing up in the heart of East Texas, Wilford Leonard ate Bar-B-Q year-round establishing an unwavering love for hickory and pecan smoked and grilled cuisine. This love became the inspiration behind Lips Smacker’s Bar-B-Q Sauces, Marinades and Seasoned Salts. He spent years perfecting his recipe until he found the formula that stirred euphoria and generated a demand for in-home products. Lips Smacker’s, Texas-born and Texas-grown with big East Texas flavor, ensures a boost of “yum” to all forms of BBQ. The sauce comes in both hot and original flavor. Lips Smacker’s marinades are perfect for beef, chicken, pork and fish.

BORDER REGION

Lickstrips – San Juan
Freddie Gaitan
Lickstrips.com

Freddie Gaytan is changing the way beer lovers “dress” their brew with Lickstrips. The spicy, eatable Lickstrips eliminate the smearing of lime and salt on the neck of your favorite beer beverage with three simple steps: open, lick and stick for a quick, easy and tasty addition. Flavors include Spicy Beach Caliente, Spicy Mango Paradise and Spicy Watermelon Splash.

HOUSTON REGION

Statesman Beverage Co – Houston
Bob Sutton and Holly Hall Tate
Statesmanbeverage.co

Developed by Bob Sutton and business partner Holly Hall Tate, Statesman Beverage Co. was born out of a love of hosting friends and family. While they loved to entertain, they never felt confident making great drinks like bartenders and mixologists do. After six years of experimenting and tinkering, they developed the perfect recipe for their first product – Sir Winston’s Spiced Simple Syrup. Using Sir Winston’s, even amateur home bartenders can make incredible old-fashioned cocktails and many more technically challenging drinks in just a couple of steps. After the success of Sir Winston’s, they developed a lighter, spring-ier, and more Latin flavor mixer, Sir Francis’ Mojito Simple Syrup.  Their current and future line of products allow Texans to do what they love most after a hard day’s work – kick back and relax with family around a great meal paired with delicious drinks.

Santte Foods – Oak Ridge North
Luis Sayrols
tidbits.fun

Meringues are an age-old treat, enjoyed around the world infused with local ingredients and traditions.  Luis Sayrols’ Santte Foods has upgraded the meringue with healthy twist creating TIDBITS Fun Bites – sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, cholesterol free, non-GMO meringues that are only one calorie per piece.

Primos – Baytown
Betty Ann Blandon and Steve Coggins
primoscoffeeco.com

Fourth generation Texans (and siblings!), Betty Ann Blandon and Steve Coggins, and their spouses, Gustavo Blandon and Donna Coggins, have partnered to create Primos Coffee – an agriculture company based in Nicaragua with Texas operations.  With 100-percent Arabica beans grown on their family farm in the Nicaraguan mountains, the single estate, strictly high grown, hand-harvested, specialty coffee is one of two distinct brands – Primos Coffee and Caf Las Misiones, which gives the majority of its profits to support missionaries in Nicaragua. In Texas, they drum roast small batches upon each order using computer-controlled profiles to produce consistent results – a medium bodied coffee with low acidity, smooth, sweet characteristics and citrus notes.  The farm averages 500,000 pounds annually.

3 Sons Foods – Houston
Traci Johannson
3sonsfoods.com

3 Sons Foods is a family-owned company operated by sixth and seventh generation Texans, Traci Johannson and her three sons, George (11), Luke (14) and Ayden (16), who produce and sell a devilishly addictive creamy cilantro sauce – Diablo Verde.  Diablo Verde, available in mild, medium and hot, combines cilantro, lime, garlic, jalapenos and spices perfect for dipping, flavoring seafood, chicken, tacos, enchiladas, salads, burritos, empanadas, samosas and much more.  Made in Texas using the freshest ingredients, Diablo Verde is gluten free, preservative free, egg free, nut free, soy free, vegetarian, 100-percent natural and 100-percent full of flavor. 3 Sons Foods has won and placed in many competitions, including 1st place in best Salsa Hot; 2nd place for best new product from The Chile Pepper Magazine Contest; 1st and 3rd place Green Sauce Judges Award; and 2nd and 3rd place Green Sauce People’s Choice from The Austin Chronicle Salsa Fest. Staying true to the company motto, “Eat Diablo Save Rhinos,” a portion of Diablo Verde sales goes to the International Rhino Foundation to help stop the illegal poaching of Rhinos.

Noah’s Naughty Vietnamese – Houston
Chef Jimmy Tay Trinh
naughtynoahs.com

Chef Jimmy Tay Trinh was born in Vietnam in 1977 and immigrated to San Diego, CA. He trained at the Culinary Institute of America (class of 2009) in New York City and moved to Houston after meeting his wife 10 years ago. The self-described “Chief Noodler” created Naughty Noah’s Vietnamese Pho Noodles (named after his oldest son) in 2015 as a tribute to the Lone Star State. Created with family recipes that capture the full, authentic flavors of a freshly made bowl of pho, the instant pho noodle soup is healthy, nutritious, convenient, and made with the finest ingredients. Every single bowl is 100-percent vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Flavors include: Chicka What, Original, Victory Veg, Curry Masala, Holy Hot Pepper and Don’t Be A Boar.

SAN ANTIONO REGION

Madge’s Food Company – San Antonio
Mike and Jody Miller
madgesfood.com

Madge’s Food Company was founded in 2014 by husband and wife, Mike and Jody Miller, in a quest to create tomato jam like Mike remembered his grandmother making. With Jody’s background as a special education teacher studying the effects of diet and additives on learning disabilities, she also wanted the jam to be without HFCS and Red Dye #5. While Madge’s Famous Tomato Jam was created, Mike and Jody’s food obsession and mission to make food healthier continued. They explored the health benefits of fermented foods and began making vegan kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented vegetables – even prickly pear cactus leaves – and fermented tomato juices and mixers. Nutritious and delicious, fermented foods became the core of their business. Their products are community friendly and bring many of the specialty diets together with products that can be enjoyed by all. If you’re vegan, paleo, cross-fitter, diabetic, cruelty-free, sugar-free, carnivore or other, Madges’ gut healing products are for you.

Le Sauce – Fair Oaks Ranch
Kyle “Chef Curtis” Kirl
lesaucecompany.com

LeSauce Gourmet Finishing Sauces were created by native Texan, Chef Curtis, who loves to cook almost as much as friends and family crave his memorable meals. Sharing his passion for new flavors and fresh takes on classic favorites, he created the sauces to help consumers elevate their plate and create food experiences without extra skills and time in the kitchen. His friends urged him to put his handcrafted deliciousness in a bottle and Chef Curtis complied. LeSauce Gourmet Finishing Sauces are versatile drizzled over meat, fish and veggies. Just heat, pour, and plan for the encores.

Davila’s BBQ – Seguin
Adrian Davila
davilasbbq.com/

Founded in 1959 by Adrian Davila’s grandfather, Raul Davila Sr., Davila’s BBQ has been passed on through three generations of pit masters. Adrian, the third generation of the brand, manages the business, while his father Edward still holds the reins of the company. Davila’s BBQ style comes from the Vaquero tradition that traveled from Avila, Spain to Mexico, then Texas. The Davilas brand has been staying true to the original recipes while adding to the menu, including seasonal specials and local favorites while maintaining their Texas roots and Latin slant. The Davilas’ sauce is regionally tomato-based and savory with a touch of sweetness accentuated by a South Texas touch of cumin, garlic and oregano.  As the restaurant grew, they added a spicy BBQ sauce that boasts a flavor punch of ingredients like jalapeno and cayenne. Their next offering, Davila’s Dry Rub, is this generation’s masterful contribution to the family success.

Grain 4 Grain – San Antonio
Yoni Medhen and Matt Mechtly
grain4grain.com/

Grain4Grain was founded by Yoni Medhen and Matt Mechtly with a goal of enabling people to live healthier lives while improving the environment and giving back. They do this through recycling spent grains from local microbreweries to make a low carb, high protein, high fiber flour. Their current products include both Low Carb Flour Pancake and Waffle Mix. For every pound of flour sold, Grain4Grain donates a pound to those in need via the San Antonio Food Bank and Hill Country Daily Bread, with plans to expand statewide. To date, they have helped thousands of people take positive steps in reaching their nutrition goals, upcycled over 17,000 pounds of spent grain, and have helped feed over 1,650 families through the buy one, give one program.

JD’s Chili Parlor – San Antonio
Diana Anderson
jdschiliparlor.com

JD’s Chili Parlor is family-owned and passionate about sharing the love of chili with the world. Its line of gourmet artisan chili products, including chili paste, chili fixin’s and enchilada sauces are inspired by the original Chili Queens of San Antonio. Like the Chili Queens, JD’s Chili Parlor created a paste using a special blend of five different chili peppers for a deep, rich and complex pepper flavor. One-of-a-kind fusions such as Pecan-Smoked Whiskey Chili Fixin’s and Prickly Pear Tequila Enchilada Sauce merge tradition with modern flavor profiles to “wow” chili lovers near and far.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2014

  • Frio Farm (Concan) – Grand Prize winner $25,000
  • MaxFrut (Arlington) – First Place Winner – $20,000
  • Habibi Gourmet Dip-It (Mission) – Second Place Winner – $15,000
  • Vela Farms (Victoria) – Third Place Winner – $10,000

 2015

  • TEO Gelato (Austin) – Grand Prize winner – $25,000
  • Slaton Bakery (Slaton, TX) – First Place Winner – $20,000
  • Blackbird Foods (Houston) – Second Place Winner – $15,000
  • Blackbird Bakery (Austin) – Third Place winner – $10,000

 2016

  • The Texas Pie Company (Kyle) – Grand Prize winner – $25,000
  • KITCHUN (Austin) – One of two First Place Winners – $20,000
  • Bagel Dots (Houston) – One of two First Place Winners – $20,000
  • The Culinary Cowgirls (Austin) – Second Place winner – $15,000
  • Humble House Foods (San Antonio) – Third Place winner – $10,000

2017

  • Skull & Cakebones (Austin) – Grand Prize Winner- $25,000
  • The Texas Pecan Cake Shop (Bertram) – One of two First Place Winners – $20,000
  • WarPig’s F.U.B.A.R. BBQ Sauce – For Use on Butts and Ribs Sauce (Houston) – One of two First Place Winners – $20,000
  • Tamale Addiction (Austin) – Second Place winner – $15,000
  • La Familia Cortez Restaurants (San Antonio) – Third Place winner $10,000

2018

  • Mmmpanadas (Austin) – Grand Prize Winner – $25,000 AND keys to a brand-new Toyota Tundra)
  • Chef Rey Inc. (Sugar Land) – First Place Winner – $20,000
  • Bellefontaine (Houston) – Second Place Winner -$15,000
  • Pennymade (Austin) – Third Place Winner – $10,000

H-E-B, with sales of $26 billion, operates more than 400 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 114th anniversary this year. 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 over 110,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com.

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