News Summary
McAllen’s Deli Spices has scored a $15,000 prize by earning second place at H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best competition with their Birria Spice mix. This small business, owned by Sully and Gilberto Villareal, releases a product that simplifies making authentic birria at home. Their recognition provides valuable exposure, allowing them to sell their mix statewide. H-E-B’s initiative supports local entrepreneurs, fostering growth within the Texas community while rewarding innovation.
Texas – Deli Spices, a McAllen-based business, has garnered attention after securing second place in H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best competition, winning a cash prize of $15,000 with their acclaimed Birria Spice mix. This victory enables the company to distribute their product across H-E-B stores statewide, expanding their reach within the Texas food market.
The Quest for Texas Best competition aims to spotlight local products crafted by Texans, encompassing a diverse range of categories that include food, beverages, home goods, and beauty products. This year, over 370 products from nearly 150 cities were submitted for consideration, emphasizing the robust entrepreneurial spirit found throughout the state.
After Deli Spices was named a finalist in August, owners Sully and Gilberto Villareal presented their entry at the final judging event in San Antonio. Only 10 items were selected for the final round of judging, demonstrating the competitive nature of the event. Deli Spices’ Birria Spice mix, which combines real dried chiles and toasted spices, is designed to simplify the preparation of authentic birria meals in less than 30 minutes at home.
The Quest for Texas Best competition also aims to empower local entrepreneurs by providing them with valuable resources, mentorship, and increased visibility. Beyond this support, H-E-B rewards top participants with substantial cash prizes, with the Grand Prize winner receiving $50,000, the first-place winner getting $25,000, the second-place winner, which Deli Spices achieved, awarded $15,000, and the third-place winner awarded $10,000.
Over the years, H-E-B has distributed nearly $2.75 million in prize money to qualifying businesses and offers additional support in the form of marketing and mentoring services. The initiative has recognized 55 suppliers with the commemorative H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle, awarded to those achieving over $1 million in sales.
This recognition not only underscores the quality of Deli Spices’ product but also highlights the importance of initiatives like H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best in fostering local businesses and promoting home-grown talent. As Deli Spices moves forward, the combination of prize money and new sales opportunities marks a promising chapter for the business and the wider McAllen community.
In conclusion, Deli Spices stands as a noteworthy example of how local entrepreneurship can thrive with the right recognition and support systems in place. Their success in the Quest for Texas Best competition is a testament to the innovative spirit within Texas and raises expectations for future local culinary innovations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Valley Central: McAllen Business Places Top Five in H-E-B Quest for Texas Best 2025
- Texas Monthly: La Cocinita McAllen – Tacos with International Influence
- KRGV: McAllen Business Named Finalist in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best Competition
- Texas Border Business: Deli Spice Cooking Spices of McAllen Named a Top 10 Finalist in Quest for Texas Best
- Wikipedia: H-E-B
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
