H-E-B’s Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best judges narrowed the field of 25 finalists to just FIVE winners on Friday, August 11 at the Central Texas Food Bank. Sascha Biesi and Yauss Berenji (Skull & Cakebones Mocha Marmalade); Bridget and Will McCoy (Lorraine’s Original Mini Texas Pecan Cakes); Dennis Butterworth (WarPig BBQ For Use on Butts And Ribs Sauce); Adrian and Mariana Paredes (Tamale Addiction’ s Poblano and Muenster Cheese Organic Masa Tamales); and Cariño Cortez and Michael Cortez (La Familia Cortez Restaurants’ Mi Tierra Salsa Verde) are relishing the sweet taste of success and a combined total of $90,000 in cash prizes along with prime space on H-E-B store shelves in 2018.

“As we complete the fourth year of this statewide competition, we continued to be impressed by the inventiveness, creativity and phenomenal resolve that our fellow Texans showcase,” said James Harris, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, H-E-B. “Although only five competitors walked away with a title and prize, Quest for Texas Best is a win for all Texans. Small businesses have the opportunity to grow with H-E-B and our customers enjoy added variety and access to the best locally sourced products.”

More About WarPig BBQ For Use on Butts And Ribs Sauce

Dennis Butterworth - Houston, Texas

Dennis Butterworth’s BBQ sauce, For Use on Butts And Ribs (F.U.B.A.R), is an elite sauce forged in the trenches of barbecue competition. This award-winning sauce was crafted by U.S. Army veterans to be the one and only sauce you need in your arsenal. Whether you’re a professional chef or a backyard grill commando, For Use on Butts And Ribs’ sweet, tangy flavor bridges the gap for all barbecue palates.

The judges included Jeff Thomas, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Central Texas Region; Suzanne Wade, Corporate Communications Officer; Jorge Elizondo, Group Vice President, Customer Insights; Chef Scott Tompkins, Senior Recipe Developer and Technical Food Advisor; and Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice-President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. Judging criteria included product quality, marketability and readiness for production as well as the makers’ suitability as retail suppliers.