La Feria Residents Win 2015 New Mexico State Fair Unique Foods Award

Mike and Donna Hernandez, residents of La Feria, Texas, have been roasting nuts and selling candies and peanut brittle throughout the Valley for the past 15 years.

As the Cowboy Nut Shoppe they have sold their confections at all kinds of different events, including stock shows, gun shows, bike shows and the South Padre Island Market Days.

This year they ventured out of state to attend the New Mexico State Fair where they entered the Unique Foods competition.

They had been informed back in June that they were one of eight finalists.

The mid-September event was well attended by the general public and was well covered by a variety of local and New Mexico state news organizations.

The competition was stiff – deep fried green chile bacon and cheese, donuts with chocolate chipotle sauce, funnel cake hamburgers were only some of the competitors vying for the grand prize in the Unique Foods category.

The Cowboy Nut Shoppe entered their green chile sweet and spicy pecans and almonds, but were not sure about their chances of claiming the grand prize.

When they heard their name announced as the winners of their even, they were overjoyed as they proceeded to be interviewed by every television and radio station in Albuquerque.

During the fair, locals recognized them and stopped by their booth to offer their congratulations and taste the winning confections.

“We felt like celebrities,” said Donna Hernandez.

“We won $1000, a beautiful crystal trophy and a lot of bragging rights.”