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For the last eleven years, H-E-B has set out on a quest to find the best in Texas – the best local products made by Texans! From the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley, from West Texas to Beaumont, the H-E-B “Quest for Texas Best” is an open call for locally owned, small food, beverage, and general merchandise suppliers to have their items considered for placement on H-E-B shelves and $25,000 in their pocket!
After reviewing over 600 products from across Texas, the H-E-B Quest for Texas Best team narrowed that list down to the top 10 finalists. The finalists met us at the H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Finale in Dallas, presented their products, business stories and why they are the best in Texas. Meet the 2023 winners below.
Submissions for the 2023 H-E-B Quest for Texas Best are now closed. The team is currently reviewing all submissions. Entrants will be notified by a member of the H-E-B team.
Please check back soon for more information regarding our 2023 Finalists!
Verdegreens – Farmstand Salad Dressing
by Billy Trainor, Lynne Tolentino, David Philo and Kyle Wiebe | Houston, TX
Verdegreens Farms was founded in 2016 by three restaurant industry veterans - a chef, a winemaker, and a restaurateur - with the goal of helping people eat better. Incorporating methods that use 90% less water than traditional agriculture, Verdegreens Farms is comprised of one-acre of hydroponic and one-acre of no-till organic production and is located right in the middle of Houston’s Acres Homes district. The team specializes in living lettuces, microgreens, culinary herbs, and seasonal vegetables, and creates pestos, sauces, hummus, and now made-by-hand, small batch Farmstand Salad Dressings – Creole Cane Syrup Vinaigrette, Tahini Mint, and Lemon Caper Buttermilk.
FIRST PLACE
Sweets with L&L – Cotton Candy
by Tameia Frank-Jones | Spring, TX
Sweets With L&L all started in 2017 when Tameia and Byron Jones took a risk with a small, toy cotton candy machine and little bit of sugar, hoping to build something for their daughters Lauryn and Londyn. They started the business with just $200, began selling their product in Baby Gap in The Woodlands, and have since expanded to multiple locations, universities, events, fairs, and more. The freshly spun cotton candy is available in a number of flavors including rainbow, strawberry lemonade, cookies and cream, pink vanilla, and more.
(TIE) SECOND PLACE
PhoLicious – Authentic Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup
by Joseph Trousdale & Anh Trousdale | Houston, TX
Co-owner, Anh, came to America as a refugee with her parents in the late 1980s. After meeting her husband Joseph, weekly trips to the Pho restaurant became a family tradition. After the pandemic hit forcing people to stay home, Anh turned to her family recipe to create PhoLicious, an instant pho that does not compromise flavor, taste, or authenticity. The authentic Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup is available in beef, chicken, and vegetarian flavors.
GRAND PRIZE
Armagh Creamery – Organic Yogurt
by Mike & Linda McDowell, Ryan & Katie McDowell | Dublin, TX
The McDowell’s dairy heritage dates back nearly 100 years, when their great-great grandparents immigrated to Petaluma, CA, and started farming with a few jersey cows and each other. In 2010, they moved to Dublin, TX to continue the dairy farming tradition. With a passion for organic farming to preserve the land, the animals, and the quality of food they produce, they like to control the whole process – “from cow to cup.” Armagh Creamery Organic Yogurt (vanilla honey, maple, blueberry, plain, and strawberry cream) is made in small batches in a traditional European style with non-homogenized whole milk and extra cream.
THIRD PLACE
A’HUA! Sparkling Agua Fresca – Carbonated Soft Drink
by Estela Arriaga, Irma Arriaga, Izaq Esparza, Josh Harpel, Leopoldo Pantoja, Saulo Arriaga & Adan Arriaga | Jasper, TX
A’HUA! Sparkling Agua Fresca is 100% family and friend-owned and was started by founder Saulo Arriaga in his mom’s kitchen. After many trials, changes, and gallons of delicious agua fresca, A’HUA! was born! The thirst-quenching indulgence is made with all natural ingredients and real fruit juice. We currently offer Mangonada Champ with more exciting flavors coming, including Fruit Cup and Limonada.
(TIE) SECOND PLACE
The McDowell’s dairy heritage dates back nearly 100 years, when their great-great grandparents immigrated to Petaluma, CA, and started farming with a few jersey cows and each other. In 2010, they moved to Dublin, TX to continue the dairy farming tradition. With a passion for organic farming to preserve the land, the animals, and the quality of food they produce, they like to control the whole process – “from cow to cup.” Armagh Creamery Organic Yogurt (vanilla honey, maple, blueberry, plain, and strawberry cream) is made in small batches in a traditional European style with non-homogenized whole milk and extra cream.
Mike & Linda McDowell, Ryan & Katie McDowell | Dublin, TX
www.armaghcreamery.com
Armagh Creamery – Armagh Creamery Organic Yogurt
Sweets With L&L all started in 2017 when Tameia and Byron Jones took a risk with a small, toy cotton candy machine and little bit of sugar, hoping to build something for their daughters Lauryn and Londyn. They started the business with just $200, began selling their product in Baby Gap in The Woodlands, and have since expanded to multiple locations, universities, events, fairs, and more. The freshly spun cotton candy is available in a number of flavors including rainbow, strawberry lemonade, cookies and cream, pink vanilla, and more.
by Tameia Frank-Jones | Spring, TX
www.sweetswithlandl.com
Sweets with L&L – Cotton Candy
A’HUA! Sparkling Agua Fresca is 100% family and friend-owned and was started by founder Saulo Arriaga in his mom’s kitchen. After many trials, changes, and gallons of delicious agua fresca, A’HUA! was born! The thirst-quenching indulgence is made with all natural ingredients and real fruit juice. We currently offer Mangonada Champ with more exciting flavors coming, including Fruit Cup and Limonada.
by Estela Arriaga, Irma Arriaga, Izaq Esparza, Josh Harpel, Leopoldo Pantoja, Saulo Arriaga and Adan Arriaga | Jasper, TX
www.drinkahua.com
A’HUA! Sparkling Agua Fresca – Carbonated Soft Drink
Verdegreens Farms was founded in 2016 by three restaurant industry veterans - a chef, a winemaker, and a restaurateur - with the goal of helping people eat better. Incorporating methods that use 90% less water than traditional agriculture, Verdegreens Farms is comprised of one-acre of hydroponic and one-acre of no-till organic production and is located right in the middle of Houston’s Acres Homes district. The team specializes in living lettuces, microgreens, culinary herbs, and seasonal vegetables, and creates pestos, sauces, hummus, and now made-by-hand, small batch Farmstand Salad Dressings – Creole Cane Syrup Vinaigrette, Tahini Mint, and Lemon Caper Buttermilk.
by Billy Trainor, Lynne Tolentino, David Philo and Kyle Wiebe | Houston, TX
www.verdegreens.com
Verdegreens Farms – Farmstand Salad Dressing
Co-owner, Anh, came to America as a refugee with her parents in the late 1980s. After meeting her husband Joseph, weekly trips to the Pho restaurant became a family tradition. After the pandemic hit forcing people to stay home, Anh turned to her family recipe to create PhoLicious, an instant pho that does not compromise flavor, taste, or authenticity. The authentic Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup is available in beef, chicken, and vegetarian flavors.
by Joseph Trousdale & Anh Trousdale | Houston, TX
www.pholicious.net
PhoLicious – Authentic Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup
Submissions for the 2024 H-E-B Quest for Texas Best are now closed. The team is currently reviewing all submissions. Entrants will be notified by a member of the H-E-B team. Please check back soon for more information regarding our 2024 Finalists!
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