H-E-B Primo Picks Quest For Texas Best Announces 25 Statewide Finalists

HOUSTON, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- H-E-B's Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best contest has made one thing very clear: Texans love sweet and spice. Blend those flavors, and they are irresistible. The combination caught judges' taste buds as they whittled nearly 600 submissions from across the Lone Star State to 25 exceptional finalists.

Quest for Texas Best contest submissions came from 128 towns across the state, yielding a delicious mix of jams, jellies, spices and meats. Entries spanned 74 categories including beer, butter, cookies and milk, muffins, Mexican pastries, pickles, sauces and teas.

In two qualifying rounds, H-E-B Business Development Managers judged submissions on taste and flavor, customer appeal, value, uniqueness, market potential and differentiation from products already available at most H-E-B stores.

The managers chose Armadillo Eggs, Briggs True, Crybabies Sweet-N-Sassy Jalapenos, Davis Mountains Nut Company, Deelicious Red Velvet Waffle Batter, Fianco a Fianco, Four Escobars, Frenchie's Fabulous Nut Company, Fresh. Salsa, Frio Farm Artisan Extract, Habibi Gourmet, Huerta's Texas Gumbo, The Jelly Queens, Jolly Jack's Hot Sauce, Kristy's Toffee 'N Treats, La Nueva Tortilleria, Marigold Bars, MaxFrut, Savannah Rose Punch, Sweet Heat Jam Company, Texas Hot Salt, Texas Toffee Queen, Vela Farms, Walker Honey Farm and YARDBIRD Bloody Mary Mix as Quest for Texas Best finalists.

During the deciding round August 19 and 20 at the Houston Food Bank, a panel of expert judges will interview the makers of the finalist products to weigh their potential as retail suppliers. In the process, they will examine each item for quality, marketability and readiness for production.

Four winners will receive cash prizes and consideration for coveted space on H-E-B shelves in 2015. The $25,000 Grand Prize carries an additional accolade: That winner will be named a "Texas Best" Primo Pick. A first-place winner will receive $20,000, with $15,000 awarded for second-place and $10,000 for third place.

The Quest for Texas Best competition is a project of H-E-B Primo Picks, a 2-year old statewide program. H-E-B Primo Picks invites customers to enjoy products that are unique, delicious and possibly new to their palates. Primo Picks selections represent the best of what is in stores, such as H-E-B MooTopia®, H-E-B Queso Poblano Chicken Sausage and H-E-B That Green Sauce.

About H-E-B
H-E-B, with sales of more than $20 billion, operates more than 350 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, the company celebrated its 105^th anniversary in 2010. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services and 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 80,000 partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

SOURCE H-E-B