News Summary
Two Austin businesses, Oca Foods and Tozi Super Foods, have excelled in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best competition, showcasing culinary talent with innovative products. Oca Foods won the Grand Prize for their peanut butter snacks, while Tozi Super Foods earned First Place for their nutritious tortillas. The event highlights the growing local food scene and supports entrepreneurial spirit within Texas.
Texas: Big Wins for Austin in H-E-B’s “Quest for Texas Best” Competition
Two local businesses in Austin have secured top honors in H-E-B’s 2025 “Quest for Texas Best” competition, which featured over 370 entries from nearly 150 Texas cities. Oca Foods has been named the Grand Prize Winner, earning $50,000 for their innovative snack offerings. Tozi Super Foods claimed the First Place spot, bringing home $25,000 for its unique tortilla chips and tortillas. The competition showcases the culinary talent emerging from the Lone Star State and highlights local favorites.
Oca Foods Takes Home the Grand Prize
Oca Foods, owned by Renato Raposo, stood out by winning the Grand Prize for their delicious Peanut Butter Bites and Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Bites. These snacks are not only appealing in flavor but also cater to diverse dietary needs, being vegan and gluten-free. Inspired by a popular Brazilian treat known as Paçoca, these treats retail for $8.99. They can be purchased at local shops like Tiny Grocer in Austin and Brazil Market & Cafe in Round Rock, making them accessible for consumers looking for healthier snack options.
Tozi Super Foods Wins First Place
Tozi Super Foods secured First Place with their Totopos (tortilla chips) and Tortillas, earning $25,000. Their products include amaranth, a nutritious plant that enhances their snacks without sacrificing flavor, positioning them as a healthy alternative in the snack market. Consumers can find Tozi’s products in popular stores like Central Market and Royal Blue Grocery, appealing to health-conscious shoppers throughout Texas.
The Runner-Ups Shine Bright
In additional recognitions, Deli Spices from McAllen landed Second Place, receiving $15,000 for their flavorful Birria Spice Mix, a product sure to enhance home-cooked meals. Meanwhile, two companies tied for Third Place: Spicytude, based in Dallas, and My Drink Bomb, a cocktail mix brand from Houston. Each received $10,000, celebrating their contributions to the competition. This impressive array of culinary talent highlights the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within Texas’s food industry.
Supporting Local Talent
This year marks the 12th annual H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best competition, which has amassed a total prize pool of $135,000 this year alone. Since the competition began, it has awarded a staggering $2.75 million to local food producers, facilitating their journey in bringing innovative products to the shelves of one of Texas’s most beloved grocery chains. The previous year’s Grand Prize winner was an Austin entrepreneur known as Birria Queen, who won $50,000 for her Birria Seasoning Bombs, reinforcing Austin’s status as a hub of culinary innovation.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Austin’s Food Scene
Austin’s food scene is clearly thriving, exemplified by the achievements of local businesses Oca Foods and Tozi Super Foods. This competition demonstrates the wealth of talent and creativity within the city, with many more culinary wonders likely to emerge in the future. Whether showcasing vegan delights or nutritious snacks, Austin continues to impress with its diverse and delicious offerings, captivating taste buds across Texas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KVUE: Austin Businesses Shine at H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best
- Express News: H-E-B Texas Best Winners
- H-E-B Newsroom: Winners of the Quest for Texas Best
- Wikipedia: Austin
- Google Search: H-E-B Quest for Texas Best
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis 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 SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
