Rex Howell-Smith was a longtime specialty-food industry professional whose passion for exceptional food, discovery, and entrepreneurship left a lasting mark on the industry.
Before making his home in Texas, Rex’s career took him through fine dining, hotels, and personal chef work in Hawaii. After moving to Texas, he began a remarkable journey in retail, developing his expertise in specialty foods through business development and buying at Central Market, the Texas specialty-grocery chain owned by H-E-B.
Rex had a rare talent for discovering specialty products and recognizing the potential in emerging brands. He took great satisfaction in helping smaller food companies grow, often watching them evolve from kitchen-scale businesses into nationally recognized brands.
A true visionary, Rex possessed extraordinary product knowledge and a unique knack for spotting innovative foods before they became mainstream. His enthusiasm, insight, and willingness to support emerging producers helped shape the gourmet grocery landscape—not only in Texas, but throughout the specialty-food industry.
For the many producers and entrepreneurs, he championed Rex was more than a buyer or business partner. He was an advocate, a mentor, a friend, and someone who believed in the potential of a good product and the people behind it.
His legacy lives on in the brands he helped discover, the businesses he helped grow, and the countless people whose careers and dreams he encouraged along the way.
Rex Howell-Smith will be remembered as a visionary, a champion of specialty foods, and a true friend to the people who make the food industry special.
Dwight Spray
KeHE Central Market Account Manager (Retired)
A Tribute to Rex Howell-Smith
