2017 H-E-B Primo Picks
Quest for Texas Best Winners

Grand Prize ($25,000): Skull & Cakebones — Mocha Marmalade

 

Sascha Biesi and Yauss Berenji built Skull & Cakebones based on friendship, their families’ passion for food and a mission of making delicious desserts without animal products (because if you can, why shouldn't you?). Using the best local products on hand, Skull & Cakebones presents a truly Texas-strong dessert—Mocha Marmalade Chocolate layered with Cuvee Coffee frosting and topped with Cuvee infused chocolate pudding.

First Place ($20,000): The Texas Pecan Cake Shop — Lorraine's Original Mini Texas Pecan Cakes

 

Like the Lone Star State, Bridget McCoy's Lorraine's Original Mini Texas Pecan Cakes are one of a kind. Baked in the iconic shape of Texas from a secret family recipe, it is a pecan lover's dream. Made with 100% Texas products from local growers, loaded with pecans and held together with just enough flour and sugar, it delivers the wonderful flavor of Mom's holiday baking that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Every day is a cake day!

First Place ($20,000): WarPig BBQ — For Use on Butts And Ribs Sauce

 

Dennis Butterworth's BBQ sauce, F.U.B.A.R (For Use on Butts And Ribs), 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, F.U.B.A.R.'s sweet, tangy flavor bridges the gap for all barbecue palates.

Second Place ($15,000): Tamale Addiction — Poblano & Muenster Cheese Organic Masa Tamales 

 

Destiny called Adrian and Mariana Paredes in 2010. They answered and unknowingly created a new tamale standard and culture among aficionados. First entering the farmers market circuit with Mexican desserts, they redirected their efforts to tamales. Today, Tamale Addiction is known for being fresh, organic, local and delicious, with five versions that include meat, vegetarian, vegan, banana leaf and sweet tamales. By listening to their customers’ demand for an at-home option, they found a way to share their destiny with all of Texas with a two-pack of organic masa tamales filled with strips of roasted poblano pepper, fresh red salsa made with chile de arbol and melted muenster cheese.

Third Place ($10,000): La Familia Cortez Restaurants — Mi Tierra Salsa Verde

 

The family of Pedro Cortez - entrepreneur, restaurateur and savior of San Antonio's Market Square - committed themselves to preserving the recipes that have been in the family since 1941, when the patriarch opened his first eatery, Jamaica #5, and eventually Mi Tierra. Over the years, Pedro's sons and grandsons have combined traditional Mexican cooking techniques with the latest culinary advancements to safeguard Pedro's process, ingredients and legacy. The family is intent on sharing this tasty legacy with customers near and far with Mi Tierra Salsa Verde—a secret mixture of oven roasted tomatillos and a blend of spices that create a tangy salsa great for enchiladas and more. Like they say, "salsa by choice, not by chance."