The two companies were among 10 finalists selected from 470 applications.
AUSTIN, Texas — Two Austin-area small businesses have been selected as among 10 finalists in HEB’s 2024 “Quest for Texas Best” competition.
Birria Queen’s Birria Seasoning Bombs and Certified Country Lemonade’s Frozen Lemonade & Sweet Tea will represent Austin in the finals.
The bath bomb-like Birria Seasoning Bombs are designed to help birria cravings create “an authentic, flavorful dish without the hassle or mess,” while Certified Country Lemonade’s Frozen Lemonade & Sweet Tea refines a century-old family recipe to create a full line of more than 25 varieties of lemonade and sweet tea.
HEB said that over the past few months, the company’s business development managers reviewed more than 16 hours of video submissions from 470 entrepreneurs based in more than 118 cities across Texas.
The finalists were:
Birria Seasoning Bombs from Birria Queen in Austin, Frozen Lemonade & Sweet Tea from Certified Country Lemonade in Austin, Honey Dust from BeeKing in Canton, Blue Corn Butterscotch Pancake Mix from Encina in Dallas, Chorizo Seasoning Paste from Hess Street Foods in Utopia, Natural Sports Drinks from HydroNation in Dallas, Mini Frozen Paletas from La Pale Frozen Fruit Bar in Brownsville, Frozen Filled Naan from Marasi Foods in Dallas, Chamoy Candy from Sarape Treats in Dallas, Home of Honestly Texas Rice from Texas Rice Milling in Brookshire.
The winner will be announced on August 9 at Dallas Fair Park and will receive $25,000 and the right to have their product displayed on shelves at an HEB store. The runner-up will receive $20,000, and the next two finalists will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.
HEB said it has put more than 1,000 products on the shelves since it launched the Quest for Texas Best contest 10 years ago, and that the company has awarded $2.2 million in prize money as well as marketing, mentoring and other assistance.
