Pluck Seasonings Shark Tank Update — Shark Tank Season 17
Chef James Barry pitched Pluck, the world’s first organ-based seasoning blend, on Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 3. It is the bold seasoning brand turning organ meats into a culinary revolution.
The Sharks were bewildered and stunned at the same time when Chef James Barry entered the “Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 3” with organ meat made seasoning. He pitched his brand, Pluck, which produces seasoning made from Mother Nature’s multivitamin.
However, the question that loomed: Would this invention win over the Sharks, or would the thought of eating organ powder sprinkled over food upset their stomachs?
About Pluck Seasonings
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Pluck Seasonings |
| Founder | James Barry |
| Industry | Food & Beverages |
| Product | Seasoning powder |
| Investment Asked | $250,000 for 6% equity |
| Deal Status | No deal |
Pluck Seasonings is the world’s first organ-based all-purpose seasoning blend, created by chef James Barry. The brand was founded on a powerful mission: to help people enjoy the incredible nutritional benefits of organ meats.
James spent over 20+ years working as a private chef for celebrities and athletes. A few years ago he left his city for a some days, and his daughter who was two years old at that time was affected with Shiga toxin disease. He couldn’t get enough nutrients into her. Thus, that’s when he realized that their is a deficiency of nutrient-rich food.
Pluck was commenced in the year 2021. It is a food brand that anyone can eat without changing their habits. A seasoning that amalgamates grass-fed, herbs, spices, and sea salt along with organ meat.
Organs are rich in minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. Most people cannot even think about eating them due to their weird texture. Thus, he set out on a mission to make them delicious, and regular to use.
Pluck Seasonings Shark Tank Pitch
James entered the Tank asking for $250,000 for 6% equity, valuing the brand at $4.1 million. Also he made the Sharks curious and skeptical at the same time. He presented three seasoning flavors to the Sharks.
The three flavors that investors tasted were spicy mild, zesty garlic, and original pluck. Sharks were surprised by the taste, as it tasted like a regular salt seasoning.
Eventually, a rebuttal started between Lori Greiner and the Founder, James. Lori stated that there are other alternatives like protein and vegetables, which are really nutrient-dense. Though, James was strong-willed and sticking to his point by mentioning that majority of the Americans are nutrient-deficient.
However, Barbara Corcoran confronted the founder, by stating that she did not like the piece of liver that had been showcased during his pitch. She also asks about the proportion of organs in a seasoning. James responded by stating that in the pure pluck seasoning flavor, one teaspoon is equal to 2 ounces of organs.
James took the opportunity to tell the Sharks about his sales. In 2021, he made a revenue of $100K, and in 2022, he earned $300,000. While, in 2023, he generated $600K, and then, in 2024, it was $1.3 million. He is on the path to making $2 million in 2025.
James sells his seasonings directly to consumers, wherein his e-commerce site contains 65%, Amazon has 30%, and 5% is sold through wholesalers. Chip Gaines was interested in knowing about the production and selling costs. Although when the Sharks heard that the production cost is high and the selling cost is low, it acted as a deal breaker.
Let’s dig deeper into the reasons that make Pluck seasonings unique and what the investors thought about the brand.
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What Makes Pluck Seasonings Unique?
There are various reasons that make Pluck unique. Let’s have a look at those.
- Organ seasoning: Pluck is one of the first seasoning which is made from frozen, dried organ meat that come from grass-fed.
- Nutrient-dense superfood: Organ meats are nature’s first multivitamins, amalgamated with biologically available nutrients.
- Regular and flavorful taste: Founder James Barry knew that the biggest obstacle to organ meats is the taste. That’s why each Pluck blend balances the earthy richness of organs with fragrant herbs, spices, and sea salt.
Did Pluck Seasonings Get A Deal On Shark Tank?
Apart from Pluck Seasoning’s selling and production costs, the argumentative communication style of James Barry made the Sharks upset. Barbara pointed it out directly and that was one of the reasons she chose not to negotiate and get into a partnership with the founder.
Moreover, after Chef James Barry explained the nutritional benefits of eating his food seasoning, Lori bowed out. She clearly mentioned that she is not able to understand the health benefits of having organ meat. There are many other food products that can provide nutritional benefits.
Kevin O’Leary was not always impressed by the numbers, he was not ready to give $250,000. He also says that if the ask had been lower, he could have given a flyer. He further stated that he does not know how he can get his money back in the future.
Though, all the Sharks withdrew from the negotiations, James was now relying on Daniel Lubetzky and Chip and Joanna Gaines.
However, Daniel Lubetzky also refused to offer him a deal, as he did not feel that the product was for him. On the other hand Chip shared with James that he was impressed by his confidence. Also, he liked the pitch as being a professional; James knew the industry well enough.
The couple decided to stay out as they were not sure about the potential of this product.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can purchase Pluck’s seasonings on Amazon. He also sells the product directly to the consumer through his official website. For any more updates, you can check Pluck’s Instagram page.
Quick Summary
- James Barry came to “Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 3” with Pluck seasonings, the world’s first organ-based seasoning blend created by a professional Chef. He entered asking $250K for 6% equity.
- The brand, Pluck, has four flavors: zesty garlic, original pluck, spicy pluck, and pure pluck.
- Despite the nutritional benefits of organ meat-based seasoning, he had to walk out without any deal, as the Sharks were not able to see the potential of Pluck.
