This year’s contest, sponsored by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, invited various seasoning providers to try their hand at creating a savory snack around a theme (this year, “From the Ranch to the Range of Flavor”). Competing companies took the theme and created snack samples inspired by the bold, adventurous spirit of Texas. Chesapeake’s top-rated entry combined poblano peppers with chili spices and notes of savory beef.

“The flavor was inspired by the legendary culinary heritage of San Antonio’s Chili Queens, who popularized chili con carne in the 1800s,” reveals Jeremy Fair, regional sales manager with Chesapeake Spice. “These poblano chili con carne corn chips bring a bold Texas spirit to every crunch. The earthiness from the poblano melds seamlessly into the warm chili spices and hearty beef notes to provide a new spin on this Lone Star classic.”

The other challengers in the 2026 flavor showdown included:

• Carolina Ingredients, Texas 2-Step Tamale: this entry, inspired by Texas tamale pie, put tomato, ground beef, and Southwestern spice flavors on a tortilla chip
• Elite Spice, Smokehouse Rodeo Burnt Ends Seasoning: the entry’s kettle chips featured a layered blend of spices meant to evoke the specific flavors of a popular Texas barbecue dish
• Fuchs Gruppe, Whataburger Spicy Ketchup Fry: honoring the state’s beloved fast food institution, this entry put the signature flavor of the chain’s spicy condiment on a potato stick
• Kerry, Mango Salsa: this snack combined the sweetness of the fruit with subtle heat and spice on a tortilla chip
• LifeSpice, BBQueso: the flavors in this entry marry two Texas dishes—barbecue, and a queso dip—on a wavy potato chip

Stacy Tuttle, senior research and development project manager for Elite Spice, says the company’s entry set out to both honor Texas tradition while creating a modern snack.

“From a trend perspective, we are seeing strong interest in regional BBQ flavors with bold, layered profiles, which guided our approach,” she reveals. “What was especially rewarding was the feedback we heard directly on the Experience Zone floor, where people described our concept as craveable, layered, complex, and nuanced.”

While there can only be one winner, the other entrants reportedly enjoyed the contest and are anticipating the next Flavor Showdown in 2027.

“Each year, I look forward to the process of creating our entry; it brings our team together throughout many months to narrow down which flavor and base to choose and then the various iterations of seasoning to come up with the perfect entry,” says Mike Cantore, COO of Carolina Ingredients. “More than just a flavor competition it is a team building event. SNX 2026 was a success, and as strong supporters of SNAC International, we are proud to take part in this event year after year.”

Lisa Stern, SVP of sales and marketing with LifeSpice, concurs, adding, “I’m looking forward to a change of venues in 2027 and 2028, which will bring new themes and creative ideas from everyone.”

SNAC International’s next national conference, SNAXPO, is scheduled April 4-6, 2027, in Charlotte, NC.

SF&WB Chief Editor Jenni Spinner offered a run-down of the Flavor Showdown entries from the show floor; view the video here.