Texan Heartland - Demo Instructions

 

www.texanheartland.com

 

Featured Products

• Texan Heartland Hill Country Verde Hot Sauce – UPC 00850060117176

• Texan Heartland Honey Ginger Mango Habanero Hot Sauce – UPC 00850060117015

• Texan Heartland Lone Star Reserve Hot Sauce – UPC 00850060117152

• Serve samples on H-E-B small round tortilla chips.

 

About Texan Heartland

Texan Heartland is a Texas-made specialty food company founded July 2023 by JP Clark in NW Houston, Texas.

Our philosophy is “flavor before heat” — every product should taste great first, with heat used to enhance the food rather than overpower it. JP started Texan Heartland after inspiration enjoying breakfast tacos with friends. He wanted to share the spirit and joy of Texas gatherings, and the kind of food that brings people together. That spirit still guides the company today. Our tagline, “Bold Flavor. For moments that matter most.” reflects the heart of the brand: products made to be shared around the table with family, friends, and customers who appreciate real flavor. Texan Heartland is a GO TEXAN approved vendor and has won numerous awards for its products. Although the company is growing into retailers like Central Market, it remains founder-led, Texas-rooted, and focused on quality, authenticity, and memorable flavor.

NOTE: Hill Country Verde and Lone Star Reserve are available on-table at Urban Egg restaurants – currently in Fort Worth and Plano.

 

What to Bring From Home

• Apron & Hat

• Food Handler’s Card

 

Central Market Provided Supplies

• Demo table

• Portion cups

• Napkins

• Gloves

• Hairnet

• Small serving spoons or utensils if needed

 

Arrival & Store Check-In

• Go to the Customer Service Desk and ask for the Foodie overseeing demos.

• Introduce yourself as the Four Star Demos specialist sampling Texan Heartland Hot Sauces.

• Ask the Foodie where they would like the demo station set up.

• Take a selfie at the shelf with the products and text it to Karen (do not upload to the demo report).

• Take a picture of the shelf to upload to the demo report.

• Purchase one bottle of hot sauce on the Divvy card for check-in purposes.

• Upload receipt to Bill Spend & Expense and save receipt photo for the demo report.

• Count opening inventory for each flavor.

 

Demo Set Up

• Set up demo station neatly and professionally.

• Display 6-8 bottles of each flavor on the table for guests to purchase.

• Display allergen sign.

• Take a picture of the completed demo station and upload it to the demo report.

• Wash hands in the hand wash sink prior to sampling.

• Open all featured flavors at the beginning of the demo so guests can sample all flavors throughout the event.

 

Sampling Procedure

• Greet guests with a friendly introduction and invite them to sample the sauces.

• Ask guests which flavor they would like to start with.

• If they would like to sample all flavors, recommend starting with the Hill Country Verde and working toward the stronger flavors.

• Place a small amount of sauce onto an H-E-B small round tortilla chip and serve in a portion cup.

• Place sample at the front of the demo station for guest pickup.

• Encourage guests to compare flavors and discuss which foods they enjoy pairing with hot sauce.

• Keep sampling area clean and organized throughout the demo.

 

Product Information, Flavor Profiles & Conversation Starters

Hill Country Verde Hot Sauce Heat Level:

Mild

​

Flavor Profile:

• Fresh, vibrant, zesty verde-style sauce

• Tomatillo-forward flavor with poblano peppers, avocado, cilantro, and a hint of jalapeño

• Bright flavor with balanced mild heat

 

Great Pairings:

• Breakfast tacos

• Eggs

• Burgers

• Salads

 

Conversation Starters:

• “This one is great for guests who love flavor without overwhelming heat.”

• “If you enjoy salsa verde, this is an excellent everyday hot sauce.”

• “This flavor is especially popular on breakfast tacos and eggs.”

•  

Selling Points:

• Award-winning verde hot sauce Texas-made and GO TEXAN approved

• Flavor-first approach rather than extreme heat

​

Awards 🥇

• 1st Place Hot Sauce: Specialty Chile-Mild/Medium - Scovie Awards 2026 🥇

• 1st Place Hot Sauce: Kid-Friendly Not So Hot Sauce - Scovie Awards 2026 🥇

• 1st Place Sauce: Verde - International Flavor Awards Artisan Flave Awards 2025 🥈

• 2nd Place Hot Sauce: - Pepper Blend Mild/Medium - Fiery Foods Challenge 2025 🥉

• 3rd Place Hot Sauce: Verde - International Flavor Awards Spicy Flave Awards 2025

 

Honey Ginger Mango Habanero Hot Sauce Heat Level:

Medium

 

Flavor Profile:

• Sweet heat with tropical mango flavor

• Balanced habanero spice

• Honey and ginger create a sweet-savory finish

 

Great Pairings:

• Fish tacos

• Wings (owner’s wife’s favorite)

• Chicken stir fry

• Pork dishes

•  

Conversation Starters:

• “This is a great sweet-and-spicy sauce.”

• “The mango and honey balance the habanero really well.”

• “This one is excellent on wings or grilled chicken.”

 

Selling Points:

• Unique tropical flavor profile Balanced medium heat

• Great combination of sweet and spicy flavors

•  

Awards 🥇

• 1st Place Hot Sauce: Habanero - Scovie Awards 2026 🥈

• 2nd Place Hot Sauce: All-Natural-Mild/Medium - Scovie Awards 2026

 

Lone Star Reserve Hot Sauce Heat Level:

Medium

 

Flavor Profile:

• Rich, smoky, savory flavor

• Cayenne pepper heat balanced with tamarind and fire-roasted red bell peppers

• Deep umami flavor profile

 

Great Pairings:

• Steak

• Brisket

• Burgers

• Grilled meats

 

Conversation Starters:

• “This one is especially good for barbecue lovers.”

• “The smoky flavor makes it excellent on burgers and brisket.”

• “The tamarind gives it a rich savory flavor.”

 

Selling Points:

• Texas-inspired flavor profile

• Great grilling and barbecue sauce

• Rich smoky flavor with balanced heat

 

Customer Engagement Ideas

• Ask guests which heat level they typically enjoy.

• Encourage guests to compare all three flavors.

• Share that Texan Heartland focuses on “flavor before heat.”

• Mention that the sauces are Texas-made and award-winning.

• Recommend pairing ideas based on guest preferences.

​

Awards 🥇

• 1st Place Hot Sauce: Louisiana-Style - Scovie Awards 2026 🥉

• 3rd Place Hot Sauce: All-Natural-Mild/Medium - Scovie Awards 2026 🥈

• Silver Medium Chili Sauce - European Hot Sauce Awards (International Division) 2025 🥈

• 2nd Place Hot Sauce: Mild - Fiery Foods Challenge 2025 🥈

• 2nd Place Hot Sauce: Medium - Fiery Foods Challenge 2025

 

Clean Up & Wrap-Up

• Dispose of remaining sample chips and sample product appropriately.

• Clean and sanitize demo area.

• Count ending inventory for each flavor.

• Purchase any additional opened product on the Divvy card during check-out.

• Upload final receipt to Bill Spend & Expense.

• Complete and submit demo report including: Shelf photo, Demo station photo, Opening and ending inventory, Customer feedback and sales information

• Clock out with the Foodie before leaving.