HOUSTON – Bagel Dots, LLC from Houston tied for first place in the H-E-B Primo Picks contest at the Houston Food Bank on August 11.
Out of 475 entries and a two-day judging period, Bagel Dots owners Purav Patel and Aarti Garehgrat won a cash prize of $20,000, and their product will be sold in H-E-B stores in 2017.
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The competition was state-wide.
“The final presentations were phenomenal, showcasing a unique blend of creativity, resolve and purpose,” said James Harris, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, H-E-B. “As we celebrate the third year of competition, we have enjoyed the inventiveness that our fellow Texans continue to showcase.”
Bagel Dots are described as a way to keep bagels from being messy, according to Garehgrat. They are bite-sized bagel balls filled with cream cheese and other ingredients.
The grand prize of $25,000 and featured placement as a Texas Best Primo Pick was given to Chef Julie Albertson, of Kyle, creator of The Texas Pie Company Original Pie Dough Puck.
Judges looked at product quality, marketability and readiness for production and the makers’ suitability as retail suppliers for the winning criteria.
Ten of the competition finalists were from the Houston area.