HOUSTON, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Creators of
unique products from the Lone Star State are relishing the sweet
taste of success as winners of H-E-B's Primo Picks Quest for Texas
Best contest. A panel of expert judges narrowed a field of 25 to
four finalists on Aug. 19 and 20 at
the Houston Food Bank, and the winners received cash prizes
totaling $70,000 and consideration
for coveted space on H-E-B shelves in 2015.
The judges included Chef Michael
Skibitcky, Dean of the H-E-B Culinary Academy and a tenured
professor at the Culinary institute of
America; Sean Robertson,
H-E-B's Cooking Connection Regional Merchant; Armando Perez, Senior Vice President of
Operations for H-E-B's Houston Region; Chef Jason Dady,
Executive Chef and Owner of numerous San
Antonio restaurants; and H-E-B Chef Scott Tompkins, the company's Technical Food
Consultant in Recipe Testing & Design. Criteria included
product quality, marketability and readiness for production as well
as the makers' suitability as retail suppliers.
"The final presentations were a wonderful display of ingenuity
and vision," said Chef Skibitcky. "Our state is prime territory for
smart, inventive food entrepreneurs. The number of exceptional
entries submitted for the Quest for Texas Best competition
solidifies Texas' growing
reputation as a foodie state."
The H-E-B Primo Picks: Quest for Texas Best
Award Winners Are:
Grand Prize ($25,000 and featured
placement as a Texas Best Primo Pick):
Nanette Watson's Frio Farms
(Concan)
Not all extracts
are the same- just ask Nanette
Watson of Frio Farm in Concan. Watson is a true connoisseur of
extracts, using only Tahitian vanilla beans and controlling
temperature, number of beans, quality and type of alcohol when
creating extracts. The result is a pure, rich and complex extract,
miles away from others available in the marketplace. Frio Farms'
array of extracts include Bourbon & Cane Sugar, Rum & Honey
and Tequila & Agave, as well as more traditional flavors.
First Place ($20,000):
Hector Alba's MaxFrut
(Arlington)
Hector Alba, creator of MaxFrut, delivers a
sweet, fresh alternative to high-calorie frozen desserts. The
Arlington-based company has
produced Texas' first frozen whole
fruit bar. With just 70 calories and gluten-free, MaxFrut is
delightfully free of artificial colors and sweeteners. Fruit
purists can choose from among blueberry, raspberry or strawberry
treats.
Second Place ($15,000):
Pilar Gonzalez's Habibi Gourmet
(Mission)
Pilar Gonzalez, owner of Mission-based Habibi Gourmet, blends fresh
ingredients and yogurt to create the 100-percent natural DIP-IT.
Featuring five different flavors including cilantro, jalapeño,
green olive, chipotle and piquin, DIP-IT is perfect when paired
with vegetables, crackers or chips; drizzled on pastas, seafood or
chicken; or as a creamy base for your own recipes.
Third Place ($10,000):
Sara Vela's Vela Farms
(Victoria)
Sara Vela's Texas roots run deep. Vela and her family farm
and ranch 33 acres of land in Victoria that have been in her family for more
than 100 years. From Fig Preserves and Ginger Habanero Jelly to
Texas Sweet Tea Jelly and Strawberry Balsamic Serrano Jam, Vela's
selection is sweet, spicy and always full of the fresh produce from
the farm.
The Quest for Texas Best competition drew entries from 128 towns
across the state. Through two qualifying rounds, H-E-B Business
Development Managers chose the 25 finalists for their taste and
flavor, customer appeal, value, uniqueness, market potential and
differentiation from current goods at most H-E-B stores.
Among the finalists were six products from the Houston area, five from the San Antonio area and four from the
Dallas area. Austin, the Rio Grande Valley and Waco yielded two finalists each. Beaumont, Victoria, Willis and Waxahachie each had one finalist.
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.
H-EB Quest for Texas Best winner announcement b-roll
link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6q3v7i979g98obv/AADZ3unpAEdZ9hwOWxN7jM3qa
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, H-E-B celebrated its 105 anniversary in 2010. 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 80,000 Partners and serves millions of
customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit
www.heb.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140820/138326
SOURCE H-E-B