San Antonio-area brands compete for spot on H-E-B shelves

Driving the news: H-E-B selected this year's finalists from a record 978 entries representing more than 500 companies.

Zoom in: The local contenders are San Antonio's WFN Foods, which makes heat-and-serve taco fillings; Boerne's Coley's Foods, a frozen cookie dough company; and Floresville's Dean & Peeler, which makes sausage and beef tallow from its South Texas cattle.

What's next: The finalists will pitch their products to H-E-B judges Oct. 8 in San Antonio.

• The grand prize winner gets $50,000, the "Texas Best" title and placement on H-E-B shelves.
• Three other winners will receive $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.