A Rio Grande Valley couple’s small business is in the running to be named one of the best in Texas and land a coveted spot on the shelves of the largest grocer in Texas, H-E-B.
The Lone Star State’s top grocer describes the competition as a “search for the next great Texas-made product” that aimed at helping launch entrepreneurs.
“H-E-B began as a small business, and we know firsthand how powerful the right opportunity can be,” H-E-B’s Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Supplier Diversity James Harris said in a news release on Thursday, September 17.
Each year, H-E-B combs through hundreds of small businesses and their products before narrowing the competition down to a handful vying for a share of $100,000 in cash prizes and lucrative product placement in its stores across the state. This year, H-E-B selected In Your Smokin’ Face from among “a record-breaking 978 entries” submitted by more than 500 companies, officials said.
In Your Smokin’ Face produces dry barbecue seasoning blends, such as STX Orange Pepper Piquin, BRUTO! Carne Asada Rub, and the STX Beef Blend. On the company’s website, the Moyas describe how the Valley’s weekend barbecue culture inspired them to create In Your Smokin’ Face.
“What started out as backyard cookouts, family carne asadas, and ‘just one more test batch’ turned into a mission: make bold, no-nonsense seasonings that actually show up when the grill gets hot,” the website reads.
The other nine product finalists include:
The 10 Quest for Texas Best finalists will pitch their products before a panel of judges in San Antonio on October 8. Those judges will then select four top winners and bestow $50,000 and the title of “Texas Best” upon the grand prize winner. The remaining winners will receive $25,000, $15,000 or $10,000.
