Winners Announced in H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best Competition
September 25, 2025

Winners Announced in H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best Competition

September 25, 2025

Winners Announced in H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best Competition

Five Small Businesses Take Home $110,000 in Prize Money and Shelf Placement

Today, H-E-B announced the winners of its 12th Annual H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition, a statewide search for the best unique, Texas-made products. Judges and H-E-B Partners 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, Sr. Director of Diversity & 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.”

In addition to the top five winners, H-E-B surprised the remaining five finalists each with $5,000. In total, $135,000 was awarded to the 10 finalists.

H-E-B has discovered more than 1,000 unique products throughout the Lone Star State over the last decade – from cookies, coffees to 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, coolers, and more. This year alone, H-E-B’s Sourcing Managers reviewed multiple submissions from more than 370 creative entrepreneurs from nearly 150 cities across the Lone Star 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.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates 460 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B has served Texans for more than 120 years. 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 and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 175,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates 460 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B has served Texans for more than 120 years. 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 and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 175,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates 460 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B has served Texans for more than 120 years. 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 and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 175,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

Media Gallery
Third Place Winner $10,000

My Drink Bomb

Product: Cocktail Mixers

Website: mydrinkbomb.com

Founded by Houston entrepreneur Chloe Di Leo, My Drink Bomb is the original handcrafted cocktail bomb that turns any glass into a ready-to-sip celebration. Just drop one into sparkling water or spirits, no mixing required. Proudly made in Texas and woman-owned, each drink bomb is crafted with natural ingredients like dried fruit and edible flowers. Fun, fast, and just a little fancy, My Drink Bomb makes cocktail hour pop – no bartender required.

Third Place Winner $10,000

Spicytude

Product: Spices

Website: spicytude.com

Spiceytude’s story begins where traditions are passed down and flavors come alive — the kitchen. Specifically, the kitchen of Arpi Neravetla’s grandmother. With a deep-rooted love of South Indian cooking and a craving for the flavors of her childhood, Arpi’s dream is to make flavorful Indian cooking easy and accessible for everyone with curated spice kits, step-by-step recipes, and video instructions. No guesswork, just bold flavor. Founded in the quiet days of 2020, Spicytude crafts small-batch, thoughtfully sourced spice blends that bring bold, authentic flavors to home kitchens across the country.

Second Place Winner $15,000

Deli Spice

Product: Birria Spice Mix

Website: delispicesmix.com

Born from Sully Villareal’s dream to share real Mexican food with the world (no shortcuts) Deli Spice’s Birria Spice Mix is made with realdried chiles and toasted spices. It’s a 3-step recipe: just add meat, water, and the mix — no cooking skills required. Every blend is tested byfamilies and perfected by a Mexican mom in Texas to help people cook authentic birria in under 30 minutes with restaurant-level flavor and reviving the Villareal family’s memories with every bite.

First Place Winner $25,000

Tozi Super Foods

Product: Totopos (tortilla chips) and Tortillas

Website: tozifoods.com

Proudly Mexicana-founded and family-led, Tozi Superfoods blends heritage with health in every bite. The Mexican American food and beverage company is inspired by the Aztec goddess of health. Founded by two sisters and their mother, Tozi blends six generations of tradition from their family ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, with the power of indigenous superfoods like blue corn, nopal, and amaranth – once a sacred staple of the Aztecs complete plant-based protein, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and cultural history. From tortillas to aguas frescas, every product is clean, nutrient-rich, and rooted in heritage – with wellness at the heart of it all.

Grand Prize Winner $50,000

Oca Foods

Product: Peanut Butter Bites and Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Bites

Website: ocafoods.com

After spending several years in the U.S., Renato Raposo found himself missing one of his favorite childhood snacks, Pacoca, a beloved Brazilian peanut treat. His connection with the snack deepened after the passing of his father in 2022 – it was a snack they loved and shared together. Unable to find a clean and simple version of this nostalgic treat, he created Oca Foods. By June 2024, he left a tech career to pursue Oca full-time, transforming this craving into a mission to share a wholesome, meaningful snack with the world.

Deli Spice Cooking Spices 

McAllen (Border Region)

Born from Sully Villareal’s dream to share real Mexican food with the world (no shortcuts) Deli Spices’ Birria Spice Mix is made withreal dried chiles and toasted spices. It’s a 3-step recipe: just add meat, water, and the mix — no cooking skills required. Everyblend is tested by families and perfected by a Mexican mom in Texas to help people cook authentic birria in under 30 minutes withrestaurant-level flavor and reviving the Villareal family’s memories with every bite.