H-E-B has announced the winners of its 12th Annual H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition, a statewide search for the best Texas-made products.
Judges and H-E-B employees convened in San Antonio for the final judging and selected the winners, who will take home a combined $110,000 in prize money and the opportunity for placement on H-E-B store shelves.
“We are always so impressed by the creativity of our fellow Texans and the incredible products they submit to Quest for Texas Best,” said James Harris, senior director of diversity and inclusion and supplier diversity for H-E-B.
“This competition is about more than just awarding prize money – it is about discovering new ideas, fueling local and small business growth and bringing unique Texas products to H-E-B shelves.”
The 2025 winners are:
- Grand prize – $50,000: Oca Foods (Austin);
- First place – $25,000: Tozi Super Foods (Austin);
- Second place – $15,000: Deli Spices (McAllen); and
- Third place – $10,000 (TIED): Spicytude (Dallas) and My Drink Bomb (Houston).
In addition to the top five winners, H-E-B surprised the remaining five finalists with $5,000 each. In total, $135,000 was awarded to the 10 finalists.
H-E-B has discovered more than 1,000 unique products throughout Texas over the last decade – from cookies, coffees, empanadas, pickles and pho, to salsas, spices and everything in between. Non-food submissions have included everything from beauty items, toys, home goods and household necessities, to gardening supplies and coolers. This year, H-E-B’s sourcing managers reviewed multiple submissions from more than 370 entrepreneurs from 150 cities across the state.
Over the years, H-E-B has awarded nearly $2.75 million in prize money complemented by marketing, mentoring and supplemental support. Additionally, H-E-B has awarded 55 Quest for Texas Best suppliers to date with a commemorative H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle for achieving $1 million in sales.
[RELATED: Orsak To Take Helm As H-E-B President]